How are plate tectonics and continental drift similar?

Plate tectonics and continental drift are similar because they are the essentially the same theory, with plate tectonics being the more modern version of the theory. The earlier theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener, stated that all the continents used to be part of a single supercontinent called Pangea. He supported his theory with evidence from glaciers, fossils, matching coastlines, and geological strata. However, the prevailing theories of the evolution timeline and geological column contradicted his theory. Wegener's theory also lacked a force or mechanism to explain the rapid movement of the massive continents. Plate tectonics is a revised version of Wegener's theory of continental drift. The movement of the continents is explained by the convection currents in the mantle. Scientists now have a better understanding of the earth's structure in terms of the crust and mantle. The rate of expansion of the continents is modified to align with the idea of slow uniform processes. The evolutionary timeline and geological record are also adjusted to better correlate with the geological evidence of the separation of the continents. Further evidence for the theory of continental drift came during World War II when studies of submarine warfare revealed the existence of mid-ocean ridges with symmetric magnetic bands and rift valleys. Scientists had to reassess Wegener's original theory and create the modern theory of plate tectonics. It's worth noting that some scientists opposed plate tectonics because they felt it contradicted Darwinian Evolution theory. Nevertheless, plate tectonics has become the accepted theory for the movement of continents, as it aligns with the geological evidence.