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Questions and Answers
Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?
Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?
What did Alfred Wegener believe the Earth's continents were once part of?
What did Alfred Wegener believe the Earth's continents were once part of?
What type of fossils did Wegener study in the frigid Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway?
What type of fossils did Wegener study in the frigid Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway?
Where was the fossil of the ancient reptile Mesosaurus found?
Where was the fossil of the ancient reptile Mesosaurus found?
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What theory replaced the Continental Drift Theory?
What theory replaced the Continental Drift Theory?
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What did Alfred Wegener study to support his Continental Drift Theory?
What did Alfred Wegener study to support his Continental Drift Theory?
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What scientific concept replaced the theory of Continental Drift?
What scientific concept replaced the theory of Continental Drift?
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What was the ancient landmass that Alfred Wegener believed the Earth's continents were once part of?
What was the ancient landmass that Alfred Wegener believed the Earth's continents were once part of?
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Where was the fossil of the ancient reptile Mesosaurus found?
Where was the fossil of the ancient reptile Mesosaurus found?
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What type of environment were the plant fossils studied by Wegener adapted to?
What type of environment were the plant fossils studied by Wegener adapted to?
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Study Notes
Continental Drift Theory
- Proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.
- Suggested that continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea.
Mesosaurus Fossil
- Mesosaurus, an ancient reptile, fossil discoveries were found in both South America and Africa.
- Indicates the presence of identical species across widely separated continents, supporting the Continental Drift Theory.
Wegener's Studies
- Investigated fossilized plants, specifically those adapted to a warm, tropical environment.
- Studied fossils in Svalbard, Norway, which included evidence of plant life and ancient reptiles.
Replacement of the Theory
- The theory of Plate Tectonics emerged to replace Continental Drift.
- It provided a better understanding of how continents move over time due to tectonic activity.
Pangaea
- Pangaea was the ancient landmass Wegener theorized all continents originated from.
- This single landmass eventually broke apart, leading to the continental configuration seen today.
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Description
Test your knowledge of continental drift theory and Alfred Wegener with this quiz. Explore the early understanding of how continents moved and the development of plate tectonics.