Question 1

What is a continent?

Accepted Answer

A continent is a large area of land on Earth. There are seven continents, like Africa and Asia, and they are where most people and animals live.

Question 2

What is plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics is the idea that the Earth's surface is made up of big pieces, like puzzle pieces, called plates. These plates move around very slowly, sometimes causing earthquakes.

Question 3

What is continental drift?

Accepted Answer

Continental drift is the idea that the continents have moved over time. Long ago, all the continents were joined together before they drifted apart.

Question 4

How do continents move?

Accepted Answer

Continents move because the plates they sit on are moving. The plates float on hot, melted rock under the Earth's surface, and this makes them shift around.

Question 5

Why don't we feel the continents moving?

Accepted Answer

Continents move very slowly, only a few centimeters each year. It happens so slowly that we don’t notice it in our day-to-day lives.

Question 6

What can happen when plates move?

Accepted Answer

When plates move, they can cause earthquakes and make volcanoes erupt. They can also create mountains over a long time when they push against each other.

Question 7

What is Pangaea?

Accepted Answer

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed millions of years ago. All the continents we know today were once connected together in Pangaea.

Question 8

How do we know continents are moving?

Accepted Answer

We know continents are moving because scientists can measure the movement using special tools. They also find fossils and rocks that show us the continents were once connected.

Question 9

Why do plates move?

Accepted Answer

Plates move because the Earth's insides are very hot. This heat causes the hot, melted rocks to move around and push the plates.

Question 10

Can plates bump into each other?

Accepted Answer

Yes, plates can bump into each other. When they do, it can make mountains, like the Himalayas, and cause earthquakes.

Question 11

What are some famous mountains made by moving plates?

Accepted Answer

The Himalayas and the Andes Mountains were made by moving plates. They are very tall and took millions of years to form.

Question 12

What happens when plates move apart?

Accepted Answer

When plates move apart, new land forms from the hot rock below the surface. This can create new ocean floors or valleys.

Question 13

Can moving plates create volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, moving plates can create volcanoes. When one plate sinks below another, melted rock can rise up and come out as lava.

Question 14

Do all continents move the same way?

Accepted Answer

No, not all continents move the same way. Some move faster, some move slower, and they can go in different directions.

Question 15

How do mountains form because of plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Mountains form when two plates push against each other and force land upwards. This happens very slowly over millions of years.

Question 16

What is the ocean floor made of?

Accepted Answer

The ocean floor is made of rock and is part of Earth's plates. It's created from melted rock that comes up when plates move apart.

Question 17

Is plate tectonics happening now?

Accepted Answer

Yes, plate tectonics is happening all the time. Even though we don't feel it, the Earth's plates are always moving a little bit.

Question 18

What are tectonic plates made of?

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates are made of solid rock. They float on the melted rock underneath the Earth’s surface.

Question 19

Why are earthquakes linked to plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes happen because plates sometimes get stuck and then suddenly move. This movement shakes the ground, causing an earthquake.

Question 20

How do scientists study plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study plate tectonics using satellites and special instruments. They also look at rocks and fossils to understand how the Earth's surface has changed.

The Evolution of Earth's Continents: Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift - 20 FAQs Explained Simply