ES 9.1 Formative

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What is the hypothesis of continental drift?

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

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Who proposed the continental drift hypothesis?

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Alfred Wegener.

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What is Pangaea?

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Pangaea is the name given to the supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, meaning 'all land'.

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What evidence did Wegener use to support his continental drift hypothesis?

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Fossil evidence, geological similarities, and the puzzle-like fit of continents.

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What is Mesosaurus?

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Mesosaurus is a freshwater reptile whose fossils were found in both South America and Africa, supporting the idea of continental drift.

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Why was Wegener's hypothesis initially rejected?

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It was rejected mainly because he could not explain the mechanism of how continents moved.

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What is glacial evidence in the context of continental drift?

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Glacial evidence refers to the presence of glacial deposits and striations found in regions that are now tropical, suggesting these areas were once closer to the poles.

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What is the significance of fossil distribution in supporting continental drift?

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Fossils of the same species found on different continents suggest that these continents were once connected.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity.

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What is the theory of plate tectonics?

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The theory that explains the movement of the Earth's plates and how they interact, leading to continental drift, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.