This book investigates the hypothesis that extraterrestrial impacts have served as a primary driver for shifts in tectonic plate movement throughout the Phanerozoic Eon. Neville Price utilizes geological data and physical modeling to argue that the Earth's lithosphere is not solely shaped by internal mantle convection, but is significantly influenced by external kinetic events. The text provides a framework for re-evaluating historical plate reconstructions by incorporating the impact of large-scale collisions on crustal dynamics.

Experts in the field of geophysics often cite this work for its provocative approach to integrating impact theory with traditional plate tectonics. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of geological processes to fully grasp the author's arguments.