Exploring Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory

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Questions and Answers

What evidence did Alfred Wegener gather to support his theory of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener gathered evidence from coastlines, fossils, and geologic features.

Why did people in 1620 notice that the coastlines of North and South America fit together with Europe and Africa?

People noticed the fit of the coastlines because they observed similarities in their shape.

What was the accepted model of the time that Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift challenged?

The accepted model at the time was that continents were stationary.

Why don't we notice the movement and growth of continents?

We don't notice the movement and growth of continents because it happens too slowly for us to perceive and people die before any noticeable changes occur. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges did Alfred Wegener face in developing his theory of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener faced challenges in explaining how continents could move and in gaining acceptance for his theory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the process of continents moving and growing?

The term used to describe the process is continental drift. Signup and view all the answers

What did Alfred Wegener study to develop his theory of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener studied coastlines, fossils, and geologic features. Signup and view all the answers

How did people in the 1620s explain the fit of the coastlines of North and South America with Europe and Africa?

People in the 1620s had no easy explanation for the fit of the coastlines because they believed continents were stationary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift?

The main idea is that continents can move and have moved over geological time. Signup and view all the answers

What did Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift challenge?

Alfred Wegener's theory challenged the belief that continents were stationary. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first person to work out details to explain the observation of fit of coastlines?

Alfred Wegener Signup and view all the answers

What did Alfred Wegener name the supercontinent hypothesis?

Pangea Signup and view all the answers

What evidence did Wegener use to support his idea of continental drift?

Fossils, fit of coastlines, and matching rock strata Signup and view all the answers

What did Wegener theorize about how the continents moved?

He thought they broke through the ocean floor Signup and view all the answers

What discoveries provided the mechanism for Wegener's theory of continental drift?

Mapping of the ocean floor after World War II, underwater mountain ranges, and separation of the ocean floor at cracks Signup and view all the answers

What was the big problem with Wegener's theory of continental drift?

He had no convincing evidence for how the continents might actually move Signup and view all the answers

What did Wegener call his theory of continent movement?

Continental drift Signup and view all the answers

What did Wegener conclude about the continents based on his research?

They were once all together in a giant supercontinent and broke apart and migrated to their present locations Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the clues that supported Wegener's theory of continental drift?

Fit of coastlines, matching rock strata, and fossils found in climates where they could not have survived Signup and view all the answers

Who ultimately accepted Wegener's theory of continental drift?

Future discoveries from the ocean floor Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Continental Drift

The theory that continents move and have moved over geological time.

Wegener's Evidence

Alfred Wegener used coastlines, fossils, and geologic features to prove his theory.