Question

the passage mentions the discovery of seafloor spreading in the 1960s as a key factor in the acceptance of plate tectonics theory. how did this discovery change the understanding of continental movement? answer: a. it disproved the idea that continents were capable of moving. b. it showed that continents were fixed in place and did not move over time. c. it provided a mechanism to explain how continents could move across the earths surface. d. it demonstrated that continental movement was caused by volcanic activity alone.

Explanation:

Seafloor spreading showed that new oceanic crust was being formed at mid - ocean ridges, pushing the existing crust and thus the continents. It provided a mechanism for continental movement. Options A and B are incorrect as they go against the concept of continental movement. Option D is wrong as it misattributes the cause of continental movement.

Answer:

C. It provided a mechanism to explain how continents could move across the Earth's surface.