Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

continental drift

noun

/ˈkɒn.tɪ.nen.təl drɪft/

Definition

The theory that continents have moved slowly over geological time from one location to another on the Earth’s surface.

Examples

The concept of continental drift was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.
Continental drift provides an explanation for the matching geological formations found on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meaning

Continental drift explains how the continents are not fixed in place but instead shift position relative to one another, which can lead to the formation of various geological features.