How are continental drift and plate tectonics related?

The chosen answer is correct because plate tectonics is a comprehensive scientific theory that includes the concept of continental drift as one of its fundamental components. Continental drift, first proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, suggests that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a supercontinent known as Pangaea.

As scientific understanding progressed, this initial idea evolved into the more robust theory of plate tectonics, which explains that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. These tectonic plates not only include continental landmasses but also oceanic crust. The movement of these plates is responsible for various geological phenomena, including earthquakes, mountain building, and volcanic activity.

While the other choices reference related concepts, they do not accurately capture the extensive relationship between the two theories. For example, seeing continental drift as merely an outdated idea fails to recognize its foundational role in the development of plate tectonics. Describing continental drift as explaining the movement of entire tectonic plates misrepresents its limited scope, as it does not encompass the full mechanics of plate interactions or the various types of plate boundaries. Lastly, the idea that plate tectonics only describes ocean plate movement overlooks its