Continental Drift

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What is the theory of Continental Drift?

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

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Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

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Alfred Wegener.

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What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

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All of the above: continents and fossils fitting together, glacier scars, and mountain ranges lining up.

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What are glacier scars?

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Marks left on the Earth's surface by moving glaciers, indicating past climate conditions.

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How do matching mountain ranges support the theory of Continental Drift?

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They suggest that continents were once connected and have since drifted apart.

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What does the term 'Pangaea' refer to?

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The supercontinent that existed about 335 million years ago, before breaking apart into the continents we know today.

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What role do fossils play in supporting 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 is the significance of climate evidence in Wegener's theory?

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It shows that continents now in warm climates were once in colder regions, supporting the idea of movement.

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What is sea floor spreading?

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The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust moves away.

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What is the difference between Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics?

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Continental Drift is the theory that continents move, while Plate Tectonics explains the movement of the Earth's lithosphere on the asthenosphere.

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