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Satellite tracking stations were initially used to measure continental drift. At present, an accurate measurement can be done through GPS trackers. Radio telescopes also give an accurate reading. |
Geologists in the early 1900’s (and earlier) observed related fossil assemblages and rock groups on the margins of different continents separated by large oceans. Continental drift theory proposed that the continents were once contiguous. Measuring the distance across the ocean basins provided a distance of drift, but not a rate.
Scientists in the 1960’s used magnetometers to survey the ocean floor (the magnetometers were retired sub-hunters from WWII). They observed parallel bands of seafloor with the same magnetic orientation and intensity. They noticed that the bands were symmetric on either side of large ridges in the oceans. Plate tectonics proposes that the continents are going along for the ride as oceanic crust grows and spreads from ridges. The scientists used radiometric dating to calibrate the magnetic bands with a magnetic reversal time scale.
We now have the distance that the continents are from each other, and ages for the bands of oceanic crust between them, so we can calculate a rate. For example, the oldest crust in the Atlantic is about 180 million years old, and it is found off the eastern margin of North America and the Western margin of Africa (~6000 km).
6000km/180 million years = ~3.3 cm/year (Averaged over 180 million years, this is a very rough calculation).
This is how fast Africa and North America have cruised apart on average over the last 180 million years.
Credit: UCSB Science Line
Picture Credit : Google
