Which concept explains the natural process of continental drift?

Prepare for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to get you ready for exam success!

The concept that explains the natural process of continental drift is plate tectonics. This theory describes how the Earth's lithosphere, which is broken into several large and small tectonic plates, moves and interacts on the more fluid asthenosphere below it. The movement of these plates is responsible for the shifting of continents over geological time.

Continental drift, initially proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, describes the gradual movement of continents away from each other due to the movement of tectonic plates. This process can lead to phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.

The other concepts, while important in their own fields, do not directly address the movement of continents. Evolution pertains to the change in species over time, weathering refers to the breaking down of rocks at the Earth's surface, and geothermal energy relates to the heat energy from the Earth's interior used for power. None of these concepts explain how continents shift and drift apart.

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