Unit 3 Continental Drift/Plate Tectonics

Front

Who is credited with developing the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener

Answer explanation

Alfred Wegener is credited with developing the theory of continental drift, proposing that continents were once joined and have since drifted apart. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern plate tectonics.

Front

What is this a picture of?

Back

pangaea

Answer explanation

The image likely depicts Pangaea, the supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. It represents a significant concept in geology, illustrating how continents were once joined together.

Front

Why was Wegener's theory not accepted?

Back

He had no proof of how they were moving

Answer explanation

Wegener's theory of continental drift was not accepted primarily because he lacked a convincing mechanism to explain how continents could move. This absence of proof hindered the scientific community's acceptance of his ideas.

Front

What are the three types of Evidence that supports Alfred Wegener's Theory?

Back

Fossils, Land forms, and Climate

Answer explanation

Wegener's Theory is supported by Fossils found on different continents, similar Land forms indicating past connections, and Climate evidence showing similar conditions in now distant regions, making 'Fossils, Land forms, and Climate' the correct choice.

Front

This is a picture of glacier scars found in Africa. What are these evidence for?

Back

Africa was once in an area of the Earth that had a very cold climate

Answer explanation

The glacier scars in Africa indicate that the region was once part of a colder climate, supporting the idea that Africa was not always near the equator. This evidence contradicts the notion that continents have remained stationary.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

All of the above: Continents and fossils fitting together/matching-up like puzzle pieces, glacier scars and other climate evidence from temperature, mountain ranges and rocks line up across continents.

Answer explanation

Wegener used multiple pieces of evidence to support his theory, including how continents and fossils fit together like puzzle pieces, glacier scars indicating past climates, and aligned mountain ranges across continents. Thus, the correct answer is 'all of the above'.

Front

What type of evidence was NOT used by Alfred Wegener to support his continental drift hypothesis?

Back

evidence from human remains

Answer explanation

Alfred Wegener used evidence from landforms, fossils, and climate to support his continental drift hypothesis. However, he did not use evidence from human remains, as they are not relevant to the geological processes he studied.

Front

According to the continental drift hypothesis, the presence of similar fossils in South America and Africa supports which scientific idea?

Back

South America and Africa were once connected together.

Answer explanation

The presence of similar fossils in South America and Africa supports the idea that these continents were once connected, allowing species to inhabit both areas before drifting apart.

Front

Which layer of Earth is broken up into tectonic plates?

Back

lithosphere

Answer explanation

The lithosphere is the outermost layer of Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates that move and interact, causing geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Front

Which form of heat transfer is in the asthenosphere and causes the tectonic plates to move around?

Back

convection

Answer explanation

Convection is the primary form of heat transfer in the asthenosphere, where hot material rises and cooler material sinks, driving the movement of tectonic plates.