Continental Drift

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What is Continental Drift?

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The theory that continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have since drifted apart.

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Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

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Alfred Wegener.

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What is Pangaea?

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A supercontinent that existed around 335 million years ago, where all continents were joined together.

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What evidence supports Continental Drift?

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Similar mountain ranges, fossils found on different continents, and glacier scars.

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What are matching fossils?

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

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What role do tectonic plates play in Continental Drift?

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

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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 pushes continents apart.

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How do glacier scars provide evidence for Continental Drift?

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They show that continents like Africa were once located in colder regions.

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What is the significance of the mesosaurus fossil?

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It is a freshwater reptile fossil found in South America and Africa, supporting the idea that these continents were once connected.

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What is plate tectonics?

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The scientific theory that describes the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere.