Continental Drift

Front

What is the continental drift hypothesis?

Back

The hypothesis that continents are in constant motion on the surface of Earth.

Front

What was Pangea?

Back

A supercontinent where all Earth's land masses were joined.

Front

Who developed the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What type of geological evidence supports continental drift?

Back

Matching rock structures on different continents.

Front

What conclusion can be drawn from finding warm-weather plant fossils in Antarctica?

Back

The island was once closer to the equator, but has since drifted to its current location.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is the role of tectonic plates in continental drift?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of Earth's crust that move and can cause continents to drift apart or collide.

Front

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

A scientific theory that describes the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere, which includes the continental drift.

Front

What is Gondwana?

Back

An ancient supercontinent that included present-day South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Front

How do paleomagnetic studies support the theory of continental drift?

Back

They show the historical positions of continents based on the magnetic orientation of rocks.