The lithospheric plates in modern plate tectonic theory differ significantly from Wegener's continental drift hypothesis in that ________.
A)they are significantly thinner
B)several of the largest plates include both continental and oceanic crust
C)it is the oceans that do all of the moving, not the continents
D)we now know that the plate motions are driven by massive magnetic reversals

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wegener's continental drift hypothesis suggested that the continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent called Pangaea that gradually broke apart and drifted to their current positions. However, he did not propose the existence of lithospheric plates. Modern plate tectonic theory includes the idea of lithospheric plates, which are composed of both oceanic and continental crust, and move due to convection currents in the mantle.

The Lithospheric Plates in Modern Plate Tectonic Theory Differ Significantly