a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and

many associated phenomena as resulting from the

interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly
over the underlying mantle.
§ Proposed in the early twentieth century.
§ This theory suggested that as earth cooled after its formation, its
surface contracted and wrinkled, these wrinkles being the mountain
ranges on earth surface.
§ is the concept that
all elements in a
system are in
hydrodynamic
equilibrium or
trying to get there.
§ The apparent fit of the eastern
coastline of South America and
Western coastline of Africa.
§ Similarities of plant and animal
fossils in South America and Some
parts of the African continent,
which were separated by a vast
ocean.
§ Similarities in the sequence of
rock layers of opposite sides of the
Atlantic ocean.
 § Greek for “all the earth”.

CONTINENTAL DRIFT
§ It states that the earth's outer mechanical layer, the
lithosphere, is divided into large continent-sized
plates that are constantly moving.
§ heated magma
rising up through
cracks in the
oceanic crust
called dikes,
which is how new
rock or new land
is created.
§ Proposed by Harry Hess, an American geologist
§ It states that the sea floor or ocean floors – not the
continents – move and carry the continents along. 
Seafloor Spreading
+
Continental Drift
PRIMARY PLATES SECONDARY PLATES
§ Eurasian Plate § Juan de Fuca Plate

§ Australian Plate § Nazca Plate

§ Pacific Plate § Cocos Plate

§ North American Plate § Caribbean Plate

§ South American Plate § Philippine Sea Plate

§ African Plate § Arabian Plate

§ Antarctic Plate  § Indian Plate

§ Scotia Plate
 Christopher Scotese
predicts that the continents will
form into a supercontinent

The cycle of a supercontinent

splitting into smaller continents
and recombining as a single
landmass will continue in the
next billion years.