Evidence of Plate Tectonics Theory

What is the primary objective of the lesson on plate movements?

To compile, conform to or contradict, and summarize the development of the Plate Tectonics Theory.

Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?

Alfred Wegener.

What major geological process involves the North Pole becoming a South Pole?

Magnetic Reversal.

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

Fossil distributions, glaciation evidence, and the fit of continental coastlines.

What is the significance of the Mesosaurus in the context of continental drift?

Its fossils are found only in South Africa and Eastern South America, indicating that these continents were once connected.

What does the fossil evidence of Cynognathus suggest about continental movement?

Fossils found only in South Africa and South America imply these continents were once joined.

What type of animal is Lystrosaurus, and what does its fossil distribution indicate?

A shovel reptile found in Antarctica, India, and South Africa, suggesting these continents were once connected.

What is Glossopteris, and why is it important for the theory of continental drift?

A fossil plant found in multiple southern continents, indicating they were once connected due to its large seeds that could not drift across oceans.

What geological evidence supports the idea of glaciation in relation to plate tectonics?

Scratches and scrapes from glaciers found on different continents and impressions showing glacier flow direction.

How do the coastlines of South America and Africa support the theory of continental drift?

Their coastlines fit together, suggesting they were once part of a single landmass.

What is the significance of the same age and type of rocks found in South America and Africa?

It indicates that these continents were once connected and shared geological history.

What evidence from paleoclimates supports the theory of plate tectonics?

Swamps found in cold regions that were once tropical, indicating past climatic conditions.

What does paleomagnetism study, and how does it relate to plate tectonics?

It studies ancient magnetic fields, showing variations in magnetization that support continental movement.

What are the stripes of magnetic material on the ocean floor evidence of?

They support the theory of sea floor spreading and magnetic reversals.

What major landmass was broken into continents due to plate tectonics?

Pangea.

What technological advancement in the 1960s helped confirm the evidence of plate tectonics?

The installation of a global network of seismometers.

What geological features are aligned along distinct belts around the world?

Earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geologic features that define the edges of tectonic plates.

What is the role of coal distribution in supporting the theory of continental drift?

Similar coal deposits found in different continents suggest they were once connected.

What did Wegener's mapping of fossil distributions demonstrate?

It provided biogeographic evidence for continental drift and land bridging.

What does the term 'Paleoclimatology' refer to?

The study of extended climatic conditions of past geologic periods.

What happens to the magnetic polarity of the Earth over time?

It reverses every few hundred thousand years.

What is the relationship between the age of rocks and their distance from oceanic ridges?

Rocks that flow from each side of the oceanic ridge are younger the closer they are to the ridge.

What does the term 'continental fit' refer to?

The way coastlines of continents on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean appear to fit together.

What evidence did Alfred Wegener gather from glaciation?

He noted that glacial scratches and flow directions were found on continents now in warm climates.

What was the skepticism surrounding Wegener's theory during his lifetime?

Many scientists believed the oceanic crust was too firm for continents to shift.

What was the outcome of the skepticism towards Wegener's theory after his death?

The discovery of magnetic reversals in the 1950s led to the acceptance of his theory as foundational for plate tectonics.