Continental Drift Theory Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the theory of continental drift?
The theory that continents shift position on Earth’s surface.
Who proposed the theory of continental drift?
Alfred Wegener.
In what year did Alfred Wegener present the theory of continental drift?
1912.
What did Alfred Wegener believe about the continents?
All continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea.
What is Pangaea?
A landmass that includes all of Earth’s present-day continents.
Approximately how many million years ago did Pangaea exist?
225 million years ago.
What are Laurasia and Gondwana?
Laurasia and Gondwana are the two landmasses that formed after Pangaea broke up.
What was a major criticism of Wegener’s theory?
He couldn’t explain how the continents moved apart.
What is the significance of the term ‘Urkontinent’?
It refers to the original supercontinent before Pangaea.
Fill in the blank: The theory of continental drift was rejected because Wegener could not explain how the _______ moved apart.
continents
True or False: The concept of continental drift was widely accepted immediately after Wegener proposed it.
False.
What time period is associated with the formation of Pangaea?
Around 225 million years ago.
List the continents that were part of Pangaea.
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
- Antarctica
- Australia
What is the modern representation of Earth after the breakup of Pangaea?
The continents as they are positioned today.
What fields did Alfred Wegener specialize in?
Geophysics and meteorology.
Give theory number 1 of the Continental drift theory
1858: ANTONIO PELLIGRINI depicted Africa and South America connected. He is one of the first scientists to publish maps depicting the APPARENT FIT OF THE CONTINENTS
Give theory number 2 of the Continental drift theory
FOSSIL CORRELATION - Same fossil in Different continents
Name a fossil from theory Number 2 of Continental Drift Theory
Gymnosperm Glossopteris
Give theory number 3 of the Continental drift theory and support ideas
Rocks and mountains correlation
-Same rock in different ranges
- existing mountain ranges separated by vast ocean contain rocks of identical mineral continents
Paleoclimate Data is the 4th theory of the continental drift theory, give support evidences
-Glacial scars or same scars in different continents
-evidence of tropical plants on the a now polar Arctic region
-location of coal deposits which found in polar regions, but coal is formed in tropical regions
