Continental Drift

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What is Continental Drift?

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A theory that explains how continents move over geological time due to tectonic plate movements.

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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 supports the theory of Continental Drift?

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Fossil distribution, geological similarities, and the fit of continental coastlines.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

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What is Pangaea?

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A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, where all continents were joined together.

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How do fossils support Continental Drift?

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

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What role do ocean currents play in Continental Drift?

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Ocean currents can influence the movement of tectonic plates by affecting the heat distribution in the Earth's mantle.

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What is the significance of the coastlines of Africa and South America?

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Their coastlines appear to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, suggesting they were once joined.

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What is the difference between Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics?

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Continental Drift is a part of the broader theory of Plate Tectonics, which includes the movement of both continents and oceanic plates.

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What is a fossil?

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The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often found in sedimentary rock.