Continental Drift

Front

What is the theory of continental drift?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 to 175 million years ago.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What type of evidence did Wegener use to support his continental drift hypothesis?

Back

Wegener used evidence from fossil distribution, geological similarities, and climatic evidence to support his hypothesis.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

Which type of data was NOT collected by Wegener to support his hypothesis?

Back

Seafloor magnetic data was not collected by Wegener.

Front

What is the significance of fossil distribution in the context of continental drift?

Back

Fossil distribution supports the theory of continental drift by showing that similar species were found on continents that are now widely separated.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Front

How does the concept of plate tectonics relate to continental drift?

Back

Plate tectonics is the modern theory that explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere, which includes the movement of continents as described by the theory of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What geological features can be explained by the theory of continental drift?

Back

Mountain ranges, earthquakes, and volcanic activity can be explained by the movement of tectonic plates as proposed in the theory of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What role did glacial evidence play in Wegener's hypothesis?

Back

Glacial evidence indicated that continents were once connected, as glacial deposits and striations were found in now-tropical regions.

Front

What is the age of the Earth, and how does it relate to continental drift?

Back

The Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, providing a long timescale for the gradual movement of continents as proposed by the theory of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6