Centimetre by centimetre every continent is "drifting" across the surface of the earth. The recent discovery of immense mechanical and thermal forces operating on the rock-mantle has dramatically confirmed the theory of Continental Drift, which only ten years ago was often derided by experts.

          Dr Tarling is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the theory. He and his wife – herself a non-scientist – have here produced a clear non-technical description of Continental Drift. They assemble the evidence, much of it the result of modern paleomagnetic and radio-active dating methods, and reconstruct, with the aid of many illustrations, the earlier appearance of our changing planet. Special attention is then paid to the hitherto unsuspected forces that lie behind "drift". And in conclusion the authors show how our new knowledge can prevent earthquake disasters like Agadir, as well as come to the aid of the pressing search for natural resources.