Theory of Plate Tectonics Honors

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Alfred Wegener is known for hypothesizing the __________ Theory in 1912.

Continental Drift

Wegener believed that all continents were once joined together to create a supercontinent called __________.

Pangea

The reasoning that similar __________ on different continents indicates movement after they formed is part of Wegener's evidence.

climates

Fossils of the same species found in the same-aged rocks on continents separated by oceans support the __________.

Continental Drift Theory

The movement of plates is due to __________ in the mantle.

convection

The theory of Plate Tectonics was informed by Dr. Harry Hess’s discovery of __________ in the 1960s.

seafloor spreading

Wegener's Continental Drift Theory was later denounced because he could not explain how the continents __________.

moved

Evidence of __________ deposits from ancient glaciers in warm climates supports the Continental Drift Theory.

rock

The __________ states that Earth’s lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates.

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Magma that rises and pushes plates apart is part of the __________ process.

ridge push

In the Theory of Plate Tectonics, __________ pull refers to the sinking of cooler magma back towards the mantle.

slab

Hess determined that the __________ rock is located at the mid-ocean ridge.

youngest

The magnetic field reverses every __________ years, affecting the polarity of minerals in new rocks.

200,000-300,000

Similar rocks and mountain structures found in different continents suggest they were once a single __________.

mountain range

Glacial grooves in areas close to the __________ support Wegener’s theory.

equator

Seeds of certain plants are too heavy to be carried by __________, indicating continental connections.

wind

The lithosphere is the outer shell of the Earth made up of __________ plates.

tectonic

When the continents drifted apart, Wegener believed the organisms could not survive due to __________ barriers.

oceanic

Hess's radar observations during WWII led to the discovery of __________.

mid-ocean ridges

The __________ indicates that different regions of Earth had similar ancient climates.

Continental Drift Theory

The concept of plate movement includes factors like ridge push and __________.

slab pull

In the 1960s, Dr. Harry Hess' research on seafloor spreading contributed to the evolution of the __________.

Plate Tectonics theory

Wegener's reasoning for similar fossils includes that organisms lived when the continents were __________ together.

joined

The term __________ means 'all the earth' and refers to Wegener's supercontinent idea.

Pangea

The ancient __________ and coal deposits found in colder regions suggest prior warmer climates.

coral reefs

The __________ Theory acts as a framework for understanding the movements of Earth’s lithospheric plates.

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Ridge push involves magma rising from the lower mantle, while slab pull involves __________ sinking back to the mantle.

cooler magma

The continents drift due to processes such as mantle convection, ridge push, and __________ pull.

slab

The evidence of fossils across continents implies that species once inhabited a larger, __________ landmass.

unified

Glacial remnants found in tropical areas suggest that __________ has shifted significantly over time.

climate

The existence of parallel mountain ranges across continents indicates that they were once part of a single __________.

structure

In terms of geological evidence, the theory of plate tectonics relies on data from __________.

magnetism

The theory posits that tectonic plates move very __________ over time.

slowly

Continents fitting together like a __________ was an early piece of evidence for the Continental Drift Theory.

puzzle

The study of lithosphere plates is crucial to understanding the __________ of Earth.

structure

Wegener's theory was a stepping stone to the modern understanding of __________.

plate tectonics

Fossils found on opposite continents indicate they were once __________ connected.

physically

Seafloor spreading results in the creation of new __________ crust.

oceanic

Wegener used geological and fossil evidence to support his __________.

theory

The term __________ refers to ancient climates found on continents that differ from their present conditions.

paleoclimate

The alternating locations of magnetic poles reflect the __________ of Earth's magnetic field.

reversals

The movement and distribution of minerals and rocks helps support the __________ of plate tectonics.

theory

Hess's contribution to geology involved monitoring the ocean floor to discover patterns of __________.

magnetic reversal

Ridge push occurs when hotter __________ rises, pushing tectonic plates apart.

magma

The matching geological features across continents support the theory of __________.

continental drift