The species evolved independently on separate continents contradicting darwins theory of evolution. You will be piecing together a puzzle of the supercontinent pangea based on fossil and rock evidence on the present day continents. Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time. The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20 th century, mostly by alfred wegener. Explanation of the continental drift theory in the light of vertebrate distribution. The continents are embedded within the lithospheric. The scientist whose ideas came closest to the concept of the. Continental drift also comes along with grave effects such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
There are many examples of fossils found on separate continents and nowhere else, suggesting the continents were once joined. Wegener thought all the continents were once joined together in an urkontinent before breaking up and drifting to. Describe the crust as broken into pieces called tectonic plates. Alfred wegener developed the modern theory of continental drift. Continental drift theory evidences and limitations question throw some light on theory of continental drift. Apr 03, 2020 an important piece of plate tectonic theory is the continental drift idea. The coasts of the continents surrounding the atlantic ocean could, if the continents were moved closer, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Use those same colors to color each type of fossil or mountain belt according to your legend. Alfred was trying to get his girlfriends father to like him.
Continental drift is a theory originally proposed by alfred wegener, who believed the continents were once one large continent known as pangaea that later separated into several continents. The theory of continental drift was first proposed by alfred wegener in 1912. In 1910, a young german scientist named alfred wegener vay guh nur became curious about the relationship of the continents. In this article we will discuss about the continental drift theory of taylor. Dec 19, 2017 continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on earths surface. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Continental drift and plate tectonics university of iceland. A powerpoint outlining the evidence for continental drift. The theory of continental drift continental drift discovery the world alfred wegener theory of continental drift continental drift p95 red book, 182 in sciencesaurus theory that continents were once part of a single landmass that broke apart and have moved to their present locations. High school earth sciencecontinental drift wikibooks, open. Introduction to theory and evidence of continental drift. More evidence still, wegener did have some evidence working in his favor during his own time.
More indepth questions can be asked during the explanation. Evidence for the mechanism of continental drift video. Jan 04, 2016 introduction to theory and evidence of continental drift. Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologist s thought continent s moved over time. Evidence for continental drift match each term with the best descriptor below. Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. In fact, the contiguity of these continents had already made other scientists think along similar lines.
Evidence for continental drift wegener gathered evidence for his hypothesis from fossils, from studies of ancient climate, and from the geology of continents. Most influential earth scientists were based in the northern hemisphere, whereas most of the conclusive data came from the southern hemisphere there were plausible alternative explanations to the distribution of fossils and glacial deposits the geophysisists could not think of a force strong. On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or mountain belt in. Looking at the vertical longitude lines, two continents are moving faster than the rest. Jun 27, 2014 jack oliver jack oliver provided a research paper on plate tectonics that proved vital in providing hard evidence for the existence of continental drift, which was released in 1968. Science continental drift theory flashcards quizlet. His hypothesis states that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent figure 6. Continental drift alfred wegener teaching resources. Through the theory of continental drift, humans have been able to figure out how the earths crust moves and the causes of volcanoes, earthquakes, oceanic trenches, formation of mountain ranges and other geological occurrences. Evidence for continental drift pangea fossil clues climate clues rock clues continental drift climate clues wegners hypothesis that all continents were once connected in a single, large landmass that broke apart about 200 million years ago and drifted slowly to their current.
You will be piecing together a puzzle of the supercontinent pangaea based on fossil and rock evidence on the presentday continents. This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil. Wegeners theory was rejected by scientists because he could. Complete with exam question for students to answer. Explain that convection currents within the earths mantle driven by heat released by natural radioactive processes because the plates to move at relative speeds of a few centimeters per year. This theory is a part of the concept of plate tectonics. Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other, thus appearing to have drifted across the ocean bed. Provide some evidences to support it and its limitation wegener took inspiration from a map of continents to explain the earths geologic history. Wegners evidence for continental drift through convection currents. Learning objectives learn who alfred wegener was and state the theory of continental drift.
Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative. Today, the theory of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate tectonics. This was the time when reptiles and winged insects first appeared. Search, discover and share your favorite continental drift gifs. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of. Fossils certain fossils preserved in rocks of the same age but from different continents. List and describe some of the evidence for the theory of continental drift.
Color the legend on the puzzle pieces handout according to the key. Wegener failed to explain why the drift began only in mesozoic era and not before. There are various examples of fossils found on separate continents and in no other regions. Until the idea of continental drift was put forth by hess, wegener was largely disregarded as a fool. This concept was an important precursor to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which incorporates it. Look at the coded areas on the map that shows fossil and. B, taylor postulated his concept of horizontal displacement of the continents in the year of 1908 but it could be published only in the year 1910. This is a lesson aimed at helping students to develop their understanding of the role of theoretical models in. Forces like buoyancy, tidal currents and gravity are too weak to be able to move continents.
Jan 14, 20 wegners evidence for continental drift through convection currents. The geologists who didnt believe it was true when the theory was first published are either all dead and gone, or have changed their minds about it. To learn about the continental drift theory and the evidence that supports it. Continental drift theory of taylor theories geography. Continental drift wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or mountain belt in the legend and color the areas on the landmasses. Alfred wegener was the developer of a new theory of the earths surface called continental drift, and he was an adept investigator, but he passed away in 1930 with his theories generally dismissed. The evidence which gave rise to the theory of continental drift more correctly called plate tectonics includes the following. Mesosaurus small fresh water reptile glossopteris plant remains. Long ago there was a super continent called pangaea. Continental drift theory continental drift is the hypothesis that all the continents had once been joined together in a single landmass. The theory of continental drift is most associated with the scientist alfred wegener. Alfred wegeners hypothesis on continental drift and its.
Continental drift theory by alexis guillory on prezi. Continental drift theory no need to take notes i have taken them for you 2. Wegeners theory of continental drift states that the existing continents of the earth were once glued together forming a super landmass. The 1968 paper finally proved wegener right and continental drift was accepted by the world of science. The continental drift theory depends on a super continent called pangaea. Alfred wegener and continental drift it was not until 1912 that the idea of moving continents was seriously considered as a fullblown scientific theory called continental drift introduced in two articles published by a 32yearold german meteorologist named alfred lothar wegener alfred lothar wegener 18801930 earned a.
Another important piece of evidence in the continental drift theory is the fossil relevance. Theory of continental drift alfred wegener it is this german man to whom we credit with the proposal of the theory of continental drift. Continental drift theory evidences and limitations. The evidence is categorized into, fossil, climate, jig saw and geological. By the time german geophysicist alfred wegener proposed continental drift in 1912, palaeontologists had long accepted that past connections between nowseparate lands explained the spread of. Continental drift is now explained as a consequence of moving plates. The main purpose of his hypothesis was to explain the problems of the origin of. Mar 12, 2020 continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Jack oliver jack oliver provided a research paper on plate tectonics that proved vital in providing hard evidence for the existence of continental drift, which was released in 1968. Continental drift notes 92014 theory of continental drift. If continental drift had not occurred, the alternative explanations would be.
That the continents of the world all started together in a single landmass, and have since drifted apart. Proofs heavily depend on assumptions that are generalistic. One indication of this possibility is the appearance of the western african and eastern south american coasts, which look like two interlocking jigsaw. What evidence is there of the continental drift theory.
Continental drift plates in the crust of the earth, according to the plate tectonics theory from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia continental drift is the movement of the earths continents relative to each other. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Fossils fossils of the same animals were found on many. Theory of continental drift the continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. In this article we will discuss about continental drift. Wegeners hypothesis was that all the continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have since drifted apart. Wegener 18801930 continental drift was wegeners theory that all continents had once been joined together in a single landmass and have drifted apart since. Over time, the landmass broke and drifted away and is still drifting to this day. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The speculation that continents might have drifted was first put forward by abraham ortelius in 1596. The viewpoint includes a description of the theory, the evidence to support it, and reasons why some people did not support it.
This was developed in the early part of the 20 th century, mostly by a single scientist, alfred wegener. Potential evidence for the theory of continental drift description quality interpretation by 1900 and as early as 1596, several scientists had noted that the coastlines of continents on the two sides of the atlantic ocean basin appeared to fit together, most notably africa and south america. Continental drift is defined as the motion of the earths continents over a defined period of time. Continental drift a2 geography linkedin slideshare. Basically, the continental drift theory is accepted as true because of a lot of geological data. A viewpoint on the theory of continental drift, developed by alfred wagener. Continental drift was a theory proposed in 1912 by alfred wegener which postulated the movement of continents. Continents have been drifting for hundreds of millions of years.
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