Pangaea

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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, when all the continents were joined together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What theory explains how Pangaea broke apart?

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The continental drift theory explains how Pangaea broke apart due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What drives the movement of Earth's plates?

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The movement of Earth's plates is driven by convection currents in the mantle, caused by the heating and cooling of molten rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are circular movements of fluid (like molten rock) caused by differences in temperature and density.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

How does fossil evidence support the theory of continental drift?

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Fossil evidence supports the theory of continental drift by showing similar fossils on continents that are now separated by oceans, indicating they were once connected.

Front

What is sea-floor spreading?

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Sea-floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and gradually moves away from the ridge.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the significance of the Earth's mantle in plate tectonics?

Back

The Earth's mantle is significant in plate tectonics because it contains the convection currents that drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

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At a convergent boundary, two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other, leading to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is a transform boundary?

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A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, which can cause earthquakes.