Continental Drift Theory

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What is the Continental Drift Theory?

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A scientific theory that explains how continents have moved over geological time, suggesting they were once joined together in a single landmass and have since drifted apart.

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Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?

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Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist.

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What type of evidence supports Wegener's Theory of Continental Drift?

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Glacial deposits, fossils, mountain ranges, and rock landforms.

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What are the three main types of evidence for Continental Drift?

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Fossils, landforms, and climate.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity.

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What is the lithosphere?

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

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What is the significance of the Glossopteris fossil?

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It is a fern-like plant fossil found on multiple continents, supporting the idea that these continents were once connected.

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What role do glacial deposits play in supporting the Continental Drift Theory?

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They indicate that continents were once located in different climatic zones, suggesting they have moved over time.

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How do mountain ranges provide evidence for Continental Drift?

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Similar mountain ranges found on different continents suggest these landmasses were once joined.

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What is paleoclimatology?

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The study of past climates, which provides evidence for the movement of continents based on ancient climate conditions.