Flashcard: Evidence of Earth's Change over Time

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What is the theory of continental drift?

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The theory that continents have not always been in their current locations and were once part of a supercontinent called Pangea.

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What does the law of superposition state?

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In undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

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What is a supercontinent?

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A large landmass that is made up of multiple continents, such as Pangea.

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What is fossil evidence?

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Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that provide information about past life and environments.

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How can fossils indicate that continents were once connected?

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

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What is an example of a fossil that supports continental drift?

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The Gastropod fossil, which has been found on multiple continents.

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What is the significance of finding the same extinct plant species on different continents?

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It suggests that those continents were once connected, supporting the theory of continental drift.

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What is the difference between a fossil and a rock?

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A fossil is the preserved remains of a living organism, while a rock is a solid mass of minerals.

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What is paleontology?

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The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.

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What does it mean if a species is extinct?

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It means that the species no longer exists and has no living members.

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