Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Front

Who came up with the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener

Front

What is the theory of continental drift?

Back

The continents were once joined in a single landmass and have since drifted apart.

Front

Which two continents did Wegener notice fit together like pieces of a puzzle?

Back

South America and Africa

Front

What was the name of the supercontinent that existed 250 million years ago?

Back

Pangea

Front

Why did people not believe in Wegener's theory of continental drift?

Back

Scientists did not know the force responsible for moving the continents.

Front

How did fossil evidence support Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

All of the above: Similar fossils are found along continental margins that appear to join together; fossils are found in areas where the present-day climate could not have supported the organisms that made the fossils; similar fossils of land-dwelling dinosaurs are found on continents separated by oceans.

Front

Which of the following statements is false?

• Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
• Continental crust is made of granite.
• Continental crust is younger than oceanic crust.
• Continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.

Back

Continental crust is younger than oceanic crust.

Front

Plates move away from one another at ________ boundaries.

Back

divergent

Front

What is the term for a heavier, denser plate sliding under a less dense plate?

Back

subduction

Front

The crust and the uppermost mantle make up the ________.

Back

lithosphere