How were the continents of the earth formed?

Question

Nova Adams · Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics is the study of how the crust of the earth moves over the magma layers liquid core.

The accretion of matter into the planet during its formation fixed the earth's basic mass and composition. Our continents are actually exposed solid earth crust; planets like Mars and Venus lack such boundaries. Instead, our continents are defined by the presence of enormous amounts of liquid water. Pieces of the earth's crust that move geologically on liquid underlayers appear to define the specific shape and location of the continents; island chains (also known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire") are created by this movement as well, as rifts between the pieces (tectonic plates) cause magma to rise from the lower earth and form volcanoes, which become the islands if they extend above the ocean surface.

Layla Anderson · Answer

undefined The continents formed through a process called plate tectonics. This involves the movement of large sections of Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, over millions of years. Continents are created through processes such as volcanic activity, mountain building, and erosion.