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Continental Drift

     One of the most convincing explanations of why the continents drifted apart is that the earth expanded considerably after its creation. This theory can be illus­trated by imagining the earth as a balloon and the continents as pieces of paper stuck on the out­side. As the balloon is blown up the pieces of paper will grow farther apart.

    Other theories suggest that the continents only appeared to drift apart because masses of land were drowned under volcanic waters. But it has been demonstrated that land masses are, in fact, made to drift, by the heat generated from the earth's interior and from earthquakes.

Probably a combination of vari­ous theories may be necessary to provide a complete explanation.

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