Pangaea & Continental Drift Norris

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What is Pangaea?

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Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, where all the continents were joined together as one landmass.

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What is the theory of continental drift?

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The theory of continental drift states that the continents were once joined in a supercontinent and have moved apart over time.

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Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

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Alfred Wegener, a German scientist, proposed the theory of continental drift.

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What types of evidence did Wegener use to support his hypothesis?

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Wegener used evidence from landforms, fossils, and climate to support his hypothesis.

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Why was Wegener's theory initially rejected by scientists?

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Wegener's theory was initially rejected because scientists did not know the force responsible for moving the continents.

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What is the significance of fossil evidence in supporting continental drift?

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Fossil evidence shows that similar species existed on continents that are now separated by oceans, suggesting they were once connected.

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What role do tectonic plates play in continental drift?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact, causing continents to drift over geological time.

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What is the lithosphere?

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The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

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What is the process of seafloor spreading?

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Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and pushes older crust away, contributing to continental drift.

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What evidence from climate did Wegener use to support his theory?

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Wegener noted that similar climate conditions existed in regions that are now far apart, indicating they were once connected.