Continental Drift

Front

Who is credited with developing the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener

Front

What evidence do glacier scars in Africa provide?

Back

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

Front

What does the Theory of Continental Drift state?

Back

Pangaea broke apart and the continents 'drifted' away from each other.

Front

Why was Wegener's theory of continental drift not accepted initially?

Back

He had no proof of how the continents were moving.

Front

What types of evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

Continents and fossils fitting together, glacier scars, and mountain ranges lining up across continents.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.

Front

What is the significance of fossil evidence in the theory of continental drift?

Back

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

Front

What role do tectonic plates play in continental drift?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that move and can cause continents to drift.

Front

What is sea-floor spreading?

Back

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

Front

How do mountain ranges provide evidence for continental drift?

Back

Similar mountain ranges on different continents indicate they were once part of the same landmass.