Earth's Structure and Continental Drift

Scientists think that the continents once formed a giant landmass that broke apart, and then slowly drifted apart. What is the name given to this hypothesis?

• sea-floor Spreading

• plate tectonics

• continental drift

• Pangaea

Most geologist think that the movement of Earth's tectonic plates is caused by

• the rotation of the Earth.

• the Earth's magnetic field.

• subduction.

• convection currents.

What is the name of the super continent that existed about 250 million years ago?

• Plate tectonics

• Convection

• Pangaea

• Gonwandaland

Who what the scientist that created the Continental Drift Hypothesis?

• Harry Hess

• George Washington

• Alfred Wegener

• Marie Curie

Fossils of the Mesosaurus were found on the continents of South America and Africa within the same layers of rock. This provides evidence that the two continents were once

• separated by an ocean.

• joined as one large land mass.

• in different hemispheres.

• located near the poles.

Most scientists did not believe Alfred Wegener's hypothesis about drifting land masses. Why?

• He did not give enough evidence.

• They thought his time table was off.

• They did not like Alfred.

• He could not explain how the land masses moved.

Choose all the evidence Wegener used to support his Continental Drift Hypothesis.

• human remains

• fossils

• mountain ranges

• climate evidence

• the age of the Earth

Which two land masses did Wegener think fit the best together like puzzle pieces?

• N American and Europe

• S America and Aftrica

• Australia and Africa

• Europe and S America

What does the theory of continental drift state?

• The continents were once joined in a super-continent and have moved over time
• Continents are stationary and do not move
• The Earth is broken into lithospheric plates that move due to convection currents
• none of the above

The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth

• Mantle

• Crust

• Core

• Trench