Plate Tectonics - Continental Drift

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What is the theory of continental drift?

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The theory that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart over geological time.

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Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

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Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912.

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What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

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Wegener used fossil evidence, geological similarities, and climatic evidence to support his theory.

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What is Pangaea?

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Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed about 250 million years ago, where all continents were joined together.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

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What drives the movement of tectonic plates?

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The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

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What is plate tectonics?

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Plate tectonics is the geological theory that describes the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.

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What is subduction?

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Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.

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What is sea floor spreading?

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Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart.

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How do fossils support the theory of continental drift?

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