Question

what causes plate tectonics and continental drift?

Explanation:

Plate tectonics and continental drift are caused by convection currents in the Earth's mantle. The mantle is semi - molten, and heat from the Earth's core creates these currents. Hotter, less dense material rises, while cooler, denser material sinks. This movement of the mantle material drags the overlying tectonic plates, leading to plate tectonics (movement, collision, separation of plates) and continental drift (movement of continents as part of the plates).

Answer:

Plate tectonics and continental drift are caused by convection currents in the Earth's mantle, where heat - driven movement of semi - molten mantle material drags the overlying tectonic plates.