Evidence of Continental Drift

The theory of continental drift named a key part of this idea Pangaea. What is Pangaea?

• One of the ancient animals that helped Wegener prove that fossils from different continents originally came from the same location

• supercontinent that existed in Earth's distant past

• The underwater ocean range in the middle of the ocean

• The hot spot which gave rise to the Hawaiian Islands, among others

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

• Continents and fossils fitting together/matching-up like puzzle pieces

• glacier scars and other climate evidence from temperature

• mountain ranges and rocks line up across continents

• all of the above

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The best evidence that the continents were once connected is that they have matching

• Weather, fossils, and Rock Types

• Rock types, fossils, puzzle piece fit of continents

• Coastlines, weather, rock types

• Coastlines, weather, fossils

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Based on the map, what is the best conclusion?

• Africa and South America were once joined due to the presence of similar salt deposits

• Asia and Antarctica were once joined due to the presence of coal swamps

• Africa was once a colder climate due to the glaciated state of its climate in the past

• Asia was once an underwater sea world

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Evidences of Continental Drift: (alphabetical) ​ (a)   ​ (b)   ​ (c)   ​
(d)  

• Coastlines

• Fossils

• Ancient climates

• Mountain ranges

• Land bridges

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Match the following

• Missing Clues

• Wegener could not explain what forces caused continents to move since the mantel beneath the continents and seafloor was made of solid rock

• Rock Clues

• glacial grooves and sediment from glaciers found in South America, Africa, India, and Australia

• Climate Clues

• naturally preserved remains of similar ancient organisms have been found on sever continents separated by oceans

• Fossil Clues

• mountain ranges and rock formations on different continents have common origins

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A strong piece of evidence for continental drift is the presence of fossils of the ​ (a)   on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a freshwater reptile that would not be able to swim across an entire ocean!

• Mesosaurus

• Tyrannosaurus Rex

• Velociraptor

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How does the distribution of fossils across different continents support the theory of continental drift?

• Fossils of the same species are found only in regions that are geographically close.

• Different species of fossils are found on every continent.

• Similar species of fossils are found on continents that are now widely separated.

• Fossils can be transported by wind and water, so their location is not significant.

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Wegener found evidence of this fern-like plant on several different continents!

a

Lystrosaurus

Glossopteris

Mesosaurus

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

How would you use the evidence of ancient climates (like glacial deposits in warm climates today) to support the theory of continental drift?

• By arguing that climate change is a recent phenomenon.

• By suggesting that glaciers can form in any climate.

• By explaining that continents have moved from polar to temperate zones.

• By stating that the Earth's axis has shifted.

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking