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Article: Continental Drift Theory
- Article from:
- World of Earth Science
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Continental drift theory
Continental drift, in the context of the modern theory of
plate tectonics
, is explained by the movement of
lithospheric plates
over the
asthenosphere
(the molten, ductile, upper portion of the earth's mantle). Precisely used, the term continental drift is actually rooted in antiquated concepts regarding the structure of the earth. Modern geophyicists and geologists explain the movement or drift of the continents within the context of plate tectonic theory. The visible continents, a part of the lithospheric plates upon which they ride, shift slowly over time as a result of the forces driving plate tectonics. Moreover, plate tectonic theory is so robust in ...