Earth Changes Review/Reteach

Open Ended

Fossils are important evidence for past plate motion. For example, Wegener noticed there were fossils of tropical plants in Antartica, which he used to support his idea of continental drift. How are these fossils evidence of plate motion?

Multiple Choice

Analyze the seashell found in the white layer.  Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?

• It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.
• It is older than the layers below it.
• It is younger than the layers above it.
• It is older than the layers above it.

Open Ended

How does climate change in an area show up in fossil evidence?

Open Ended

There are two continents with an ocean between them. Today, the continents have very different plants and animals on them. However, a geologist found fossils of the same type of organism on both continents. Millions of years ago, when this type of organism was alive, we know it lived in only one place. The geologist is using the fossils as evidence to argue that the two continents used to be touching. How could the continents have gotten so far apart, and how long did it take for this to happen?

Multiple Choice

What do plant fossils reveal about past climates?

• They show that the climate was colder

• They indicate the presence of dinosaurs

• They reveal that Antarctica was once closer to the Equator

• They provide no information about climate

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

One piece of evidence that supports the Theory of Plate Tectonics is found in the observation of rocks on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, shown in the picture provided. Plate Tectonic theory is supported because as you move out form the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the rocks -

• have higher iron content.

• become thicker and thicker.

• are increasingly older.

• are made of smaller particles.

Open Ended

Why do you think most of Earth's changes happen slowly?

Open Ended

Give one example of fossil evidence that proves the Earth changes over time.