Can Plates Carry Continents And The Ocean Floor

Recall that both continental landmasses and the ocean floor are part of the earth s crust and that the crust is broken into individual pieces called tectonic plates fig.

Can plates carry continents and the ocean floor. Continential drift occurs when the continents change position in relation to each other. When the plates move the continents and ocean floor above them move as well. Tectonic plates can t carry both ocean floor and continents on the same plate. While plate tectonics is a relatively new idea scientists have been gathering data in support of the continental drift theory for a very long time.

It is widely accepted by scientists today. Plate tectonics is the scientific theory explaining the movement of the earth s crust. Can plates carry continents or pats of the ocean floor but not both. Yes ocean floor plates are made of heavier rock.