While continental drift was the original theory proposed by Alfred Wegener, it was incomplete and lacked a mechanism to explain how continents moved. Plate tectonics expanded on this, explaining the movement through the interaction of Earth's lithospheric plates.

Here are some other related terms, but they aren't perfect synonyms:

* Theory of plate tectonics

* Continental drift theory

* Seafloor spreading (a component of plate tectonics)

It's important to understand that "continental drift hypothesis" is often used interchangeably with "continental drift theory," even though the latter is more accurate. The term "hypothesis" suggests a less established idea, while "theory" implies a well-supported explanation based on evidence.