Continental Drift

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

Fossils, landforms, and climate evidence.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Front

What is one piece of evidence that supports the idea of Continental Drift?

Back

The fit of the continents, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What did Wegener find in places that are now warm, which supported his theory?

Back

Evidence of glaciers.

Front

Why was the theory of Continental Drift initially rejected by scientists?

Back

Scientists did not know the force responsible for moving the continents.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What are fossil clues in the context of Continental Drift?

Back

Fossils of the same species found on different continents indicate that those continents were once connected.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What role do climate changes play in the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Climate evidence shows that continents have moved from different climatic zones over time.

Front

What is the significance of glacier scars found in Africa?

Back

They indicate that Africa was once in a much colder climate.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Front

What is the relationship between Continental Drift and plate tectonics?

Back

Plate tectonics explains the mechanisms behind the movement of continents.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5