Which term describes the movement of Earth's continents over time?

• A. Continental Drift
• B. Mid-Ocean Ridge
• C. Seafloor Spreading
• D. Pangaea

Answer: (A)

Continental drift is the idea that Earth's continents have moved across the planet over geological time. This concept explains why coastlines look like they could fit together and why identical fossils and rock formations show up on continents that are now far apart. It also accounts for matching mountain belts and clues from ancient climates, all pointing to a past when the landmasses were joined. Over time, the idea broadened into plate tectonics, which describes how large lithospheric plates drift on the mantle and interact at their boundaries. The term in question specifically captures the movement of the continents themselves, making continental drift the best choice. The other terms describe related ideas: a Mid-Ocean Ridge is where new crust forms on the sea floor, Seafloor Spreading is the process of plates moving apart and creating new oceanic crust, and Pangaea refers to a former supercontinent rather than the act of movement itself.