Continental Drift Theory Quiz

Continental Drift

• The theory that continents are movable.
• Proposed by Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist.
• Based on the idea of Pangaea - a supercontinent that existed in the past.
• Supported by evidence like the "fit" of continents, locations of ancient glaciations, fossil evidence, similarities in rock types and structures, and paleoclimatic evidence.

Wegener's Theory: Reception and Revival

• Wegener's theory was met with debate and skepticism.
• Many scientists disregarded his ideas due to lack of a mechanism explaining continental drift.
• Wegener died at a young age, and his theory faded due to absence of a strong advocate.
• The theory was revived in the 1950s.

Evidence Supporting Continental Drift

• Continental "Fit": Wegener noted the shape of continents suggests they could fit together. He asserted that this fit is not coincidental. The fit is better when considering the edges of the continental shelves, rather than present-day shorelines

• Glacial Evidence: Permian glacial till (sediment deposited by glaciers) is found on four different continents. Notably, this till is present in Africa and India, which are now near the equator. This suggests a different climate in the past, and not just a cooler Earth as tropical plants are also found in the same area.

• Paleoclimatic Evidence: Placing Pangaea over the Permian South Pole allowed Wegener to correctly predict the existence of tropical coals, tropical reefs, subtropical deserts, and subtropical evaporates in specific regions.

• Fossil Evidence: Identical fossils are found on continents now separated by oceans. These organisms would have been unable to cross vast oceans.

• Matching Geology: Geologic features match across the Atlantic Ocean, indicating a similar past. These features include:

  • Geologic structures
  • Rock types
  • Rock ages
  • Continuity of mountain ranges.

Continental Drift: Modern Understanding

• The theory is now scientifically accepted, with evidence from sea-floor spreading, subduction, and plate tectonics supporting its validity.
• Wegener's observations were accurate and foundational for the modern understanding of Earth dynamics.

Test your knowledge about the Continental Drift theory proposed by Alfred Wegener. Explore the evidence supporting the theory, its historical reception, and the revival of the concept in modern science. Understand the significance of Pangaea and the geological implications of Wegener's ideas.