Geology and Continental Drift Quiz

The theory that Earth's continents have moved over time, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.

The force that drives plate tectonics, involving the movement of molten rock within the Earth's mantle.

Large, rigid sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other.

A geologist and cartographer who mapped the ocean floor, revealing the mid-Atlantic ridge and providing crucial evidence for continental drift.

A long, elevated undersea mountain range with a deep rift at its center, discovered by Marie Tharp, supporting the theory of continental drift.

Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist and explorer, best known for his pioneering theory of continental drift.

Wegener was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1880. He earned a doctorate in astronomy, but later transitioned to meteorology.

In 1911, Wegener discovered fossil evidence supporting his idea that Africa and South America were once joined. This led him to propose his theory of continental drift.

Wegener's theory stated that the Earth's continents had once been joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea, and then drifted apart over millions of years.

The theory of continental drift was met with skepticism and resistance from the scientific community. Initially, it was not widely accepted.

While Wegener's work was groundbreaking, it was not widely accepted until after his death. Later discoveries provided more evidence for his theory, making it a cornerstone of modern geology.

Wegener's most famous book, The Origin of Continents and Oceans, was published in 1915. It presented his theory of continental drift and included maps showing how the continents had once been joined.

Wegener's career was disrupted during World War I. He was drafted into the German army but was released after being wounded in 1914. He resumed his research after the war.

The idea that Earth's continents have moved over time, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.

Matching plant and animal species on different continents, suggesting they were once connected.

Similar rock formations and mountain ranges found on continents now separated.

Glacial deposits found near the equator, indicating a past movement of landmasses.

Large, rigid sections of Earth's crust that move and interact.

The force that drives plate tectonics, involving the movement of molten rock in Earth's mantle.

A long, elevated undersea mountain range with a deep rift at its center, discovered by Marie Tharp.

She mapped the ocean floor, revealing the mid-Atlantic ridge and supporting continental drift.

Wegener discovered similar fossils, like the Cynognathus, on continents now separated by oceans, suggesting they were once connected.

Wegener proposed that all continents were once joined together as a supercontinent called Pangea.

Wegener's theory was initially met with skepticism because he was considered an amateur and lacked a traditional geology background.

The presence of glacial deposits at the equator and fossils on different continents suggests continents have moved.