Continental Drift

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

A theory that explains how continents have moved over geological time, suggesting they were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Remains or traces of organisms that lived long ago, used as evidence for the theory of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Front

What type of evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

Fossils, glacial deposits, and the fit of continental shapes.

Front

What is glacial evidence in the context of Continental Drift?

Back

Evidence from glacial deposits found in currently warm regions, indicating that continents have moved.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What is the significance of similar fossils found on different continents?

Back

It suggests that continents were once connected, allowing species to inhabit those areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

What is seafloor magnetic data?

Back

Information about the magnetic properties of the ocean floor, which was not used by Wegener to support his theory.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

How do plate tectonics relate to Continental Drift?

Back

Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains the movement of the Earth's plates, which supports the concept of continental drift.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What is the fit/shape evidence in Continental Drift?

Back

The observation that the coastlines of continents, like South America and Africa, fit together like puzzle pieces.