Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primary evidence did Wegener use to propose the existence of Pangea?
What primary evidence did Wegener use to propose the existence of Pangea?
- The fit of coastlines between separate continents (correct)
- The age of oceanic crust
- Alignment of magnetic minerals in rocks
- The pattern of tectonic plate boundaries
Which obstacle primarily led to skepticism about Wegener's theory of continental drift?
Which obstacle primarily led to skepticism about Wegener's theory of continental drift?
- Lack of similar fossils across continents
- Absence of matching ancient rock formations
- Disproving evidence from early Greenland expeditions
- Inability to explain the mechanisms of continental movement (correct)
Which discovery in the mid-20th century provided support for the theory of continental drift?
Which discovery in the mid-20th century provided support for the theory of continental drift?
- The presence of mid-ocean ridges
- The theory of Earth's expanding radius
- The finding of Pleistocene fauna remains under the sea
- The understanding of mantle convection currents (correct)
Which of the following did Wegener NOT use as evidence for continental drift?
Which of the following did Wegener NOT use as evidence for continental drift?
Which reptile's fossils found in both South Africa and South America supported Wegener’s theory?
Which reptile's fossils found in both South Africa and South America supported Wegener’s theory?
What was one of the reasons for skepticism about the existence of Pangea according to Wegener's contemporaries?
What was one of the reasons for skepticism about the existence of Pangea according to Wegener's contemporaries?
Which event in the 1950s and 1960s greatly bolstered the validity of continental drift?
Which event in the 1950s and 1960s greatly bolstered the validity of continental drift?
What geological feature did Wegener believe was aligned across now separate continents, supporting his hypothesis?
What geological feature did Wegener believe was aligned across now separate continents, supporting his hypothesis?
Which year did Alfred Wegener propose his theory of continental drift?
Which year did Alfred Wegener propose his theory of continental drift?
How did Wegener contribute to the acceptance of continental drift despite initial skepticism?
How did Wegener contribute to the acceptance of continental drift despite initial skepticism?
Flashcards
Continental Drift
Continental Drift
The theory that continents were once joined as Pangea and have moved apart over time.
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
The scientist who proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912.
Pangea
Pangea
The supercontinent that existed when all continents were joined together.
Fossil Evidence
Fossil Evidence
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Jigsaw Puzzle Coastlines
Jigsaw Puzzle Coastlines
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Ancient Rock Formations
Ancient Rock Formations
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Glacial Deposits
Glacial Deposits
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Skepticism
Skepticism
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Tectonic Plates
Tectonic Plates
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Cynognathus
Cynognathus
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Study Notes
Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift
- Wegener's theory of continental drift proposed that continents had once been joined together.
- He noticed similarities in fossils and rock formations across continents, suggesting a shared past.
- This idea was initially met with skepticism due to a lack of mechanism to explain continental movement.
Evidence for Continental Drift
- Fossils of the same species found on different continents (e.g., Cynognathus).
- Similar rock formations on different continents.
- Positions of continents and glacial deposits around the equator, supporting movement.
Wegener's Work and Later Developments
- Wegener sought further evidence for continental drift, but his theories weren't initially accepted by geologists
- Expeditions to Greenland to gather data.
- 1950s-1960s: New evidence supported continental drift—Earth's crust made up of tectonic plates.
- Plate movement driven by convection currents causing molten lava to rise to surface.
- Continental drift theory was validated as the "jigsaw puzzle" was solved.
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Description
Explore Alfred Wegener's groundbreaking theory of continental drift in this quiz. Discover the evidence he gathered and how his ideas evolved over time, despite initial skepticism. Learn about the impact of plate tectonics and how fossil records support this transformative concept in geology.
