Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

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Who first proposed the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea?

Alfred Wegener

What geological process caused Pangaea to break apart?

continental drift

What is the estimated age range of Pangaea?

280-230 million years ago

What is the name of the supercontinent proposed to have existed 280-230 million years ago?

Pangaea Signup and view all the answers

Who is the scientist credited with proposing the existence of Pangaea?

Alfred Wegener Signup and view all the answers

What is the theory that explains the changing position of continents called?

Plate tectonics Signup and view all the answers

What is a supercontinent?

A supercontinent is a giant landmass made up of many or all continents. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the most recent supercontinent in Earth's history?

The most recent supercontinent in Earth's history was named Pangaea. Signup and view all the answers

What are tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's crust that move around, pushing together, pulling apart, and sliding past each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is continental drift?

Continental drift is the shifting of continents on the Earth's surface due to geological forces. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Pangaea?

Pangaea is derived from the Greek words 'pan' meaning 'all' and 'gaia' meaning 'earth'. Therefore, the literal definition of Pangaea is 'all the Earth.' Signup and view all the answers

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

Alfred Wegener used evidence such as similar rock formations, fossils of the same plants and animals on widely separated continents, and similar deposits left behind by glaciers on different continents to support his theory of continental drift. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first person to propose the concept of Pangaea?

Alfred Wegener Signup and view all the answers

What does the name 'Pangaea' mean?

whole earth Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when the continents crash into, slide past, and pull away from each other?

plate tectonics Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the splitting apart of the continents?

drifting Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the large tectonic plates that our current continents and landmasses are part of?

tectonic plates Signup and view all the answers

What is continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that suggests that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea, and have since moved apart to their current positions. Signup and view all the answers

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

Alfred Wegener used several pieces of evidence to support his theory of continental drift. This included the similarities of coastlines, the presence of similar rock formations and fossils on different continents, and the matching patterns of glacial deposits on different continents. Signup and view all the answers