Continental Drift

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What is Continental Drift?

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

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What is Pangea?

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The name of the large supercontinent that existed around 335 million years ago.

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What evidence supports the theory of Continental Drift?

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Fossils, rock types, and coastlines matching across continents.

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What is seafloor spreading?

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The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust moves away.

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Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

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Alfred Wegener.

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What are fossils?

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Remains or impressions of ancient organisms preserved in rock.

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How do matching fossils support Continental Drift?

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Fossils of the same species found on different continents suggest those continents were once connected.

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What is plate tectonics?

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The scientific theory that describes the large-scale movement of Earth's lithosphere.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Massive slabs of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

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What is the significance of the Appalachian Mountains in Continental Drift?

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Their similarity to mountain ranges in Europe supports the idea that North America and Europe were once connected.