Question

According to the theory of continental drift that predated the modern theory of plate tectonics, what was believed to be the cause of the movement of continents?

1) Convection currents in the mantle
2) Earthquakes
3) Volcanic eruptions
4) Magnetic forces

Answer 1

The theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener did not specify a mechanism for the movement of continents, which is later explained by convection currents in the mantle in plate tectonics theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before the modern theory of plate tectonics was developed, the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener suggested that continents moved across the Earth's surface. However, Wegener did not have a well-developed mechanism to explain the forces behind the movements of continents.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is not included in the options provided, as Wegener theorized the continents drifted apart through an unspecified force. It was only later, in the 1960's, that the theory of plate tectonics provided the explanation of convection currents in the mantle as the driving force for the movement of tectonic plates and therefore the continents resting upon them.