The change from thinking the continents are stationary to understanding that the outer layer of the earth moves slowly nearly all of the time occurred primarily because ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The recognition that the continents and oceans had not always been in their current positions was the main reason for understanding that the outer layer of the earth moves slowly nearly all of the time. This understanding came about through global observations and the development of the theory of plate tectonics. Space travel and improved surveying instruments were not the primary reasons for this change in thinking, and while the two world wars did contribute to oceanographic research, they did not directly lead to the discovery of plate tectonics.

The Change from Thinking the Continents Are Stationary to Understanding