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.

Front

Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What was the name of the supercontinent proposed by Wegener?

Back

Pangaea.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?

Back

The presence of similar fossils on different continents.

Front

What did Wegener originally call his proposed ancient continent?

Back

Urkontinent.

Front

What is the Great Rift Valley?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where the African continent is splitting into two.

Front

What is plate tectonics?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust moves away.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates.