Alfred Wegner’s theory (continental drift) T2 GEO TEST 2

who came up with the theory of continental drift?

alfred wegner

what did alfred wegner name his theory?

continental drift

what is the supercontinent called?

pangea

what is the theory about?

300 million years ago, earth’s land masses were in constant motion which collided into a supercontinent called pangea

when did the supercontinent break up?

200 million years ago, pangea began to break up into different directions

what are the 4 evidence of the theory?

1. apparent fit of continents

2. fossil correlation

3. rock/mountain correlation

4. paleo climate data

what is the apparent fit of continents about in the theory?

all continents seem to fit like a puzzle. Easter side of South America fits together with the western side of Africa

what is fossil correlation about in the theory?

fresh water reptile called mesosaurus found both in South America and western Africa. Mesosaurus couldn’t swim and is a fresh water reptile. It also couldn’t fly because it had no wings and couldn’t travel across the frozen ocean because it is cold blooded.

rock/mountain correlation

mountains found in eastern north America, Appalachians resembled other mountain found in the U.K. called Caldonian mountains and had similarities in age and build.

what is paleo climate data to the theory?

glaciers form in cold but were found in south America and Africa. Coal is formed in warm places but was found in Antartica, North America, and North Asia

Who help create the theory?

J. Tuzo Wilson in 1968 called tectonic plates

what is the mountain that is found in the U.K. similar to the one in eastern north America?

Caldonian mountain