Continental drift theory

Front

What is the Continental Drift Theory?

Back

The Continental Drift Theory is the hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea.

Front

Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?

Back

Alfred Wegener proposed the Continental Drift Theory in 1912.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

Wegener used evidence such as continents and fossils fitting together like puzzle pieces, glacier scars, climate evidence, and matching mountain ranges across continents.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 million years ago.

Front

What role do tectonic plates play in continental drift?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact, causing continents to drift apart or collide.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.

Front

True or False: Similar fossil records across continents support the theory of continental drift.

Back

True

Front

What geologic feature was evidence that continents were once joined?

Back

The presence of the same types of rocks found on different continents supports the idea that continents were once joined.

Front

What is the significance of glacial grooves in supporting continental drift?

Back

Glacial grooves found on different continents indicate that these continents were once located near the poles and shared similar climates.