DOL - 12/3 - Continental Drift Wegner

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

The theory that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a supercontinent.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

A supercontinent that existed in Earth's distant past, where all continents were once connected.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?

Back

Fossil evidence, geological similarities, and the fit of continental margins.

Front

Why was Wegener's hypothesis initially rejected?

Back

He could not explain the mechanism that caused the continents to move.

Front

What are glacier scars, and what do they indicate?

Back

Glacier scars are marks left by glaciers; they indicate that continents like Africa were once in colder climates.

Front

Which two continents fit together most noticeably?

Back

South America and Africa.

Front

How do similar fossils support Wegener's hypothesis?

Back

Similar fossils found on different continents suggest they were once connected.

Front

What role do ocean currents play in continental drift?

Back

Ocean currents can influence the movement of continents by affecting the distribution of heat and sediment.

Front

What is the significance of the fossil record in understanding continental drift?

Back

The fossil record provides evidence of how species were distributed across continents that were once joined.

Front

What is the concept of sea-floor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and pushes continents apart.