Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift
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Questions and Answers

What evidence supports the theory of continental drift regarding the shapes of continents?

  • All continents share the same climate.
  • Continents have the same elevation.
  • Continents have identical minerals.
  • Continents fit together like puzzle pieces. (correct)
  • Which fossil provides evidence of continental drift by being found in both South America and Africa?

  • Pangaea Rex
  • Wegenerosaurus
  • Glossopteris
  • Mesosaurus (correct)
  • What is the main idea behind seafloor spreading?

  • Oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges. (correct)
  • The oceanic crust remains unchanged over time.
  • The seafloor is slowly sinking.
  • The oceanic crust continuously moves toward land.
  • What did Alfred Wegener fail to provide for his theory of continental drift?

    <p>A feasible mechanism for movement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological feature is associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

    <p>An undersea mountain range.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does paleomagnetism play in understanding seafloor spreading?

    <p>It helps determine the orientation of magnetic minerals in solidified magma.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of coal deposits in Antarctica suggest about its past climate?

    <p>Antarctica had a tropical climate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which geological evidence suggests that ancient climates differed from today's climates in regions like Africa and South America?

    <p>Glacial deposits found in warmer regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two types of crust on Earth?

    <p>Continental and oceanic crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the boundary between the crust and the mantle called?

    <p>Moho</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological features are formed at divergent boundaries?

    <p>Mid-ocean ridges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the ability of a solid to flow, particularly in the context of the Earth's mantle?

    <p>Plasticity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a subduction zone, which crust type typically moves under the other?

    <p>Oceanic crust moves under continental crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary method scientists use to learn about the interior of the Earth?

    <p>Analyzing seismic waves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of geological feature can form when two oceanic plates converge?

    <p>Oceanic trenches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the Earth is composed of solid metals such as iron and nickel?

    <p>Inner core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Plate Tectonics Overview

    • Most geological activity occurs at plate boundaries.
    • Earth's lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that float on the asthenosphere.

    Continental Drift

    • Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, suggesting continents were once a single landmass (Pangaea).
    • Pangaea means "all the earth"; Panthalassa refers to the ancient ocean.
    • Evidence includes:
      • Puzzle-Piece Fit: Continents like South America and Africa fit together.
      • Rock Formations: Similar ages and types of coastal rocks found in separated regions like Western Africa and Eastern Brazil.
      • Fossils: Mesosaurus fossils found in South America and Africa indicate these continents were connected.
      • Climate: Fossils of Glossopteris, a fern, indicate formerly temperate climates in areas now closer to the equator.
      • Coal Deposits: Coal found in Antarctica suggests it had a tropical climate in the past.
      • Glacier Deposits: Evidence of glaciers in currently warm climates, like Africa and South America.

    Seafloor Spreading

    • Oceanic crust forms at ocean ridges and contributes to the seafloor, exemplified by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
    • Seafloor spreading involves the movement away from the center, leading to new oceanic crust formation.
    • Paleomagnetism shows that iron-rich minerals in solidified magma align with magnetic north, verifying seafloor age and movement.

    Plate Boundaries

    • Three main types of plate boundaries:
      • Divergent Boundaries: Plates moving apart, leading to the formation of mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.
      • Convergent Boundaries: Plates collide, forming subduction zones, trenches, and mountain ranges.
        • Oceanic vs. Continental: Subduction of oceanic crust under continental crust creates oceanic trenches and volcanic ranges (e.g., Andes).
        • Oceanic vs. Oceanic: Older, denser oceanic crust subducts, forming volcanic islands (e.g., Aleutian Islands).

    Earth's Interior

    • Earth is structured in layers:
      • Crust: Thin, solid outer layer; includes continental (thicker, less dense) and oceanic crust (thinner, denser).
      • Moho: Boundary between crust and mantle.
      • Mantle: Thickest layer, making up 2/3 of Earth's mass, with a rigid upper part (lithosphere) and a “plastic” lower part (asthenosphere).
      • Core: Inner core is hot and solid; outer core is liquid.

    Seismic Waves

    • Seismic waves help understand Earth's interior; these vibrations occur due to earthquakes or explosions.

    Rejected Notion

    • Wegener's theory was not accepted during his lifetime, as he couldn't explain the mechanisms behind continental movement. He died in 1930 while gathering evidence for his theory.

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    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of plate tectonics, including the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener. Understand how continents were once a single landmass, known as Pangaea, and the geological activity at plate boundaries. Test your knowledge on the evidence supporting these theories.

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