[Campbell Biology P.587] According to the 'Plate Tectonics' section, what is the primary pro... | Practice Question

According to the 'Plate Tectonics' section, what is the primary process responsible for the movement of Earth's continents over time?

  • A: Continental drift, caused by movements in the underlying mantle.
  • B: Erosion and deposition of sediments over geological time.
  • C: Expansion and contraction of the Earth's outer core.
  • D: Gravitational pull from celestial bodies.

Explanation

The text states: 'According to the theory of plate tectonics, the continents are part of great plates of Earth's crust that essentially float on the hot, underlying portion of the mantle. Movements in the mantle cause the plates to move over time in a process called continental drift.'