Continental drift
Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-004638
The large-scale horizontal movement of continents across the Earth's surface over geological time, driven by the motion of tectonic plates. The changing configuration of landmasses and ocean basins is a primary driver of long-term climate change, altering global ocean currents and atmospheric circulation patterns. Paleoclimatology studies show these movements correspond with major shifts in Earth's climate, including the initiation of ice ages.
| Identifier | MLC-T-MET-004638 |
|---|---|
| Field | Meteorology and atmospheric science |
Record as JSON
{
"id": "MLC-T-MET-004638",
"term": "Continental drift",
"field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
"definition": "The large-scale horizontal movement of continents across the Earth's surface over geological time, driven by the motion of tectonic plates. The changing configuration of landmasses and ocean basins is a primary driver of long-term climate change, altering global ocean currents and atmospheric circulation patterns. Paleoclimatology studies show these movements correspond with major shifts in Earth's climate, including the initiation of ice ages.",
"url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/continental-drift/"
}
Record 2,131 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.