Moving Continents

Front

The hypothesis that continents have slowly moved to their current locations is called

Back

Continental drift

Front

How is the evidence of fossils of Lystrosaurus and Glossopteris found on more than one continent best used by scientists?

Back

To support the theory that these continents were once joined together but then moved apart over time.

Front

The presence of the same _____ on several continents supports the hypothesis of continental drift.

Back

fossils and rocks

Front

Did some early mapmakers think that the coastline of South America matched the coastline of Asia?

Back

False

Front

Why did scientists reject Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

He could not explain how or why Earth’s continents move.

Front

A lack of explanation for continental drift prevented many scientists from accepting that a single supercontinent called ____ once existed.

Back

Pangaea

Front

____ is a fossil fern that helped support Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift.

Back

Glossopteris

Front

Wegener believed that the continents were assembled as part of a supercontinent about ____ years ago.

Back

290 million

Front

The map shows where glaciers existed 250 million years ago. Which explanation is supported by the data in the map?

Back

There is evidence of glaciers in the areas identified on the map because the continents were once located near a polar region, but then over time the continents moved apart.

Front

Why did Alfred Wegener believe that all of the continents once had been joined?

Back

The edges of the continents looked as if they would fit together like the pieces of a puzzle