What major geological process characterized the late Precambrian period?

The late Precambrian period, particularly during the Proterozoic era, is most accurately characterized by geological processes that set the stage for modern plate tectonics. While some aspects of continental drift were beginning to emerge, the framework of plate tectonics as we understand it today became more defined in subsequent geological periods.

During the late Precambrian, significant geological and tectonic activity occurred, leading to the formation of supercontinents like Rodinia. This was a time when the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates began to influence the geology of the planet on a much larger scale. Evidence suggests that there were major orogenic (mountain-building) events and rifting phases that contributed to the structure of the Earth's crust.

In contrast, while continental drift as a concept encompasses the movement of landmasses, the plate tectonic theory provides a more comprehensive understanding of these movements as the result of interacting plates. The formation of the Himalayas and significant ice ages are events that took place later in Earth's history, while the dynamics of modern plate tectonics strongly parallel the processes observed in the late Precambrian but are not limited to that period alone.