Continental drift is the theory that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single landmass, called Pangaea, and have since moved apart to their current positions.
The concept of continental drift was first proposed by German scientist Alfred Wegener in 1912. He noticed that the coastlines of South America and Africa seemed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle and theorized that they were once connected.
Some evidence that supports the theory of continental drift includes the fit of the continents, matching rock formations and fossils on different continents, and similar geological features such as mountain ranges and coastlines.
Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains how the Earth's outer layer is divided into large, moving plates. Continental drift is a result of the movement of these plates, as they push against each other and cause the continents to shift and change position.
No, continental drift is an ongoing process that is still happening today. However, it is a very slow process, with continents moving only a few centimeters per year, so it is not noticeable in our lifetime.