Continental Drift and Fossils Flashcard

Front

What is ocean floor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and gradually moves away from the ridge, creating new ocean floor.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

The theory that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new oceanic crust.

Front

What type of fossil is Mesosaurus?

Back

A freshwater reptile that lived during the early Permian period, found in both South America and Africa, supporting the theory of continental drift.

Front

How does the age of the ocean floor change with distance from mid-ocean ridges?

Back

The ocean floor gets older as you move away from mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?

Back

Fossil evidence, geological similarities, and the fit of continental coastlines.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A large, rigid piece of the Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

Front

What happens at convergent boundaries?

Back

Tectonic plates collide, which can lead to the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Front

What is the significance of the mid-ocean ridge?

Back

It is a continuous mountain range that runs through the world's oceans, marking the site of ocean floor spreading.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often found in sedimentary rock.