continental drift

• What does the satellite image of Earth's surface reveal about the continents?


  The continents appear to fit together like pieces of a giant puzzle.
• Where is the fit of the continents most obvious?

  Along the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa.
• Who was Alfred Wegener?


  A German meteorologist who proposed the theory of continental drift.
• What radical conclusion did Wegener reach about the continents?


  That the continents are moving and were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea.
• What was Wegener's theory of continental drift based on?


  Evidence he collected from various scientific fields, including geology and paleontology.
• What are the four main pieces of evidence Wegener collected for his theory?


  1. Apparent fit of the continents
  2. Fossil correlation
  3. Rock and mountain correlation
  4. Paleo climate data
• What does the apparent fit of the continents refer to?


  The coastlines of continents appearing to fit together like puzzle pieces.
• What is the name of the ancient freshwater reptile studied by Wegener?


  Mesozoic.
• Where are fossils of the Mesozoic found?


  Only in the southern tip of South America and the southern tip of Africa.
• Why is it unlikely that the Mesozoic evolved separately in Africa and South America?


  Because it could not have traveled through the salty Atlantic Ocean.
• What conclusion did Wegener draw about the distribution of fossils?


  That Africa and South America were once connected as one landmass.
• What did Wegener find when he studied rock structures?


  That similar types and ages of rocks were found in distant locations like the northeastern US and the UK.
• What did Wegener conclude about the matching of rocks from distant locations?


  That they were once together before being separated by continental drift.
• What evidence did Wegener find related to past climates?


  Glacial striations found in currently warm areas and coal deposits in currently cold areas.
• What did Wegener conclude about the locations of glacial striations?

  That they indicated areas were once located closer to the poles.
• What is bituminous coal made from?

  Compacted and cemented plant remains from tropical environments.
• What did Wegener's observations about coal deposits suggest?


  That areas with coal deposits were once located closer to the equator.
• What was the outcome of Wegener's theory of continental drift?


  It was largely rejected due to lack of explanation for the force driving continental movement.
• How did Alfred Wegener die?


  He froze to death on a research expedition in Greenland.
• What legacy did Wegener leave behind?


  He is credited with advancing the understanding of how the Earth works despite his theory being initially rejected.
• What are the four pieces of evidence Wegener used to support his theory of continental drift?


  1. Apparent fit of the continents
  2. Fossil correlation
  3. Rock and mountain correlation
  4. Paleo climate data
• What challenges did Wegener face in gaining acceptance for his theory?


  • Lack of explanation for the force driving continental movement
  • Initial rejection by the scientific community
  • His ideas were ahead of their time