Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Front

What is the Theory of Continental Drift?

Back

The theory states that all the continents were once part of one big landmass called Pangaea that broke up and drifted apart over hundreds of millions of years.

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What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea is the name of the supercontinent that existed when all the continents were joined together.

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What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move around on the Earth's surface.

Front

Who proposed the Theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What evidence supports the Theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Fossils of the same plant have been found on several continents.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of fossils in understanding continental drift?

Back

Fossils found on different continents suggest that those continents were once connected.

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What are the main types of plate boundaries?

Back

Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

Front

What happens at divergent boundaries?

Back

Tectonic plates move apart, creating new crust as magma rises to the surface.

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What occurs at convergent boundaries?

Back

Tectonic plates collide, which can cause one plate to be forced under another, leading to mountain formation or earthquakes.