The shape of continental coastlines visibly matched up like pieces of the puzzle. As the plates pulled apart from each other millions of years ago it caused earthquakes which led to magma rising from the mantle and erupting through the crust forming the Mid Atlantic Ridge as it solidified, this is called sea floor spreading as it is an example of two oceanic plates pulling away from each other. 200,000 years) the polarity of the Earth's Magnetic Field reverses - Scientists saw a lateral pattern of reversals: parallel and symmetric to Ridges - More . 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. The advancement and knowledge on the plate tectonics theory was a very important asset to biogeography, it provided a foundation for our understanding of our ever-evolving planet. This means it does not absorb, emit or reflect visible light, gamma rays, ultra-violet rays etc. Continental Drift- This is a theory of the Earth proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. Another indication of continental drift is tectonic activity and seafloor spreading. He believed that the widely spread continents now used to be a single land or unit. Another evidence that supports the theory of continental drift is Paeomagnetism. Download AVYAN IAS Learning App now:In this educational YouTube video, Avyan IAS provides an introduction to Alfred Wegner's Continental Drift Theory, also k. How is plate tectonics supported by the apparent fit of the continental coastline? Post navigation PreviousPrevious post:Is Styrofoam bad for the environment? Finding identical or similar fossils in areas separated by vast distances were some of the first clues that scientists used to reconstruct past plate movement. Destruction happens when one plate moves below the other at convergent boundaries. What evidence supports the idea that all the continents were once joined together quizlet? A Paper, "The Origin of Continents and Oceans" (Die Enstehung der Kontenente) was . As molten rock rises from the Earth, it forms new crust between the plates. What Evidence Is There of the Continental Drift Theory? Genetics. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Holmes' theories have continued to be . Genetics. What are the four pieces of evidence for continental drift quizlet? As magma rises it forces the crust to rise at the ridge. Forces behind the drifting of continents, according to Wegener Evidence in support of Continental Drift Drawbacks of Continental Drift Theory Tectonics During WW II, it was discovered that the ocean floor had some unique relief features like ridges, trenches, seamounts, shoals etc. Sea floor spreading indicates that since the continents presently move apart, previous continental drift was possible and probable as well. The Theory of Continental Drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. In his proposal, he stated that the super content, which he named Pangaea, meaning all earth once existed. Continental drift is the suggestion that over long periods of geological time, the continents of the Earth have moved apart from each other and had once formed almost one single land mass known as Pangaea. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 4. One of the reasons that dark matter has arisen as a theory is the fact that when we observe certain galaxies, they have much more kinetic energy then the masses in them would suggest, therefore, a separate force must be at play. What evidence exists to support the existence of Pangea 3 points? Oceanic ridges occur along some of the plate margins. Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time. The central dogma of biology. It was hard for Wegner to back his theory as he was unable to explain how the continents moved. Scientists agree that continents rest on rocks called tectonic plates, which shift and move. One piece of evidence is the complementary shapes of earths coastlines. Do now: Draw a convection current and explain why this happens? Fossils of similar types of plants and animals in rocks of a similar age have been found on the shores of different continents, suggesting that the continents were once joined. 3. tobi brown girlfriend; ancient map of sarkoris pathfinder; reno sparks nv obituaries; como sacar una culebra de su escondite As the plates move away from the flanks of the ridges, they carry the continents with them. icx 7250 console cable; dara trager snake farm; fort bend hightower football; carolina herrera advert male model; ian deason jetblue salary; who is the voice of siriusxm yacht rock radio; when is the next wimberley market days; jacob frank rothschild; activity for simile, metaphor and personification . What are 5 pieces of evidence of continental drift? Finding fossils of the Mesosaurus on the southern hemispheres of both continents is a further indication that the two continents were once together and later drifted apart. Glossopteris ferns had very heavy seeds that could not move by wind or drift on ocean currents. Which is evidence supporting the theory of continental drift? One of the first lines of evidence suggesting the existence of plate tectonics was the discovery of very similar fossils in rock masses separated by vast distances and by ocean expanses. Another fossil that supports the hypothesis of continental drift is Glossopteris (glahs AHP tur us). What are 4 evidences that support continental drift? For example fossils of Mesosaurus a freshwater reptile have been found both in Brazil and western Africa. At that time, the slabs of rock that carried these present-day continents crawled apart from each other at a rate of a millimeter a year. South America and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges. Watch Earth's continents move, from 650 million years ago to 250 million years in the future continental drift, large-scale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Continents fit like a puzzle, climate clues, fossil clues, and rock layers or formations. 6 pieces of evidence for continental drift. . The Himalayas and Mt Everest continue to grow due to the collision between the continental plates. According to Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift, Pangaea, a Mega Ocean surrounding a supercontinent that . Glacial deposits, specifically till, of the same age and structure are found on many separate continents that would have been together in the continent of Pangaea. Theblogy.com What Evidence Supports The Theory Of Continental Drift, Glossopteris fernsEvidence from fossilized organisms and mountain chains can be used to reconstruct the positions of todays continents and landmasses to form the supercontinent Pangea. answer choices True Q. This is most dramatically seen between North America and Africa during Pangeas initial rift some 240 million years ago. continental drift, large-scale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. The "Wallace Line". (askinglot.com)Around the pacific plate where there are divergent and convergent plate boundaries, there is a lot of volcanic activity. There are also several smaller plates such as the Scotia, Nazca and Cocos. What types of fossils were used as evidence for continental drift? It will explore the theory of continental drift by Alfred Wagener and the more advanced and developed theory of plate tectonics and how it has affected the volcanic hotspots and also provides several predictions for the future of Australias volcanos. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Paleoclimate Data. Cygnognathus is Fossil from another species of reptile. Alfred Wegener, in the first three decades of this century, and DuToit in the 1920s and 1930s gathered evidence that the continents had moved. What evidence did Wegener have for his theory of continental drift? Wegener's Puzzling Evidence 1. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser, way easier to get an answer other from the other guy. Despite Wegeners effort to try to prove his theory of continental drift, it was never accepted. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Embryos of four different species. If you take a look at the map before the continents drifted away, you find that Mesosaurus is located in the southern parts of Africa and North America. What fossil evidence supports the belief that all of these continents were once joined and known as Pangea? Fossils of creatures and plants discovered on different continents helped to him push his case that the continents were once locked together before breaking up and drifting away. Evidence Supporting Continental Drift Continental Drift Theory Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912 250 million years ago, all of the continents were combined into one super-continent called "Pangaea" The continents gradually drifted apart to where they are today Alfred Wegener (1880-1930), German meteorologist and geologist, was the first . Continental drift is defined as the motion of the earth's continents over a defined period of time. What was never proposed as evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea? However, this theory of continental drift came to be accepted in the 90s after his death. In the 1900's, Alfred Wegener presented an argument supporting continental drift. The fossils of these organisms are found on lands that are now far apart. On the other hand, tectonic movement destroys crust during interaction of the plates. Volcanoes are distributed randomly on every continent. Some Southern Hemisphere geologists, particularly in South Africa, responded with enthusiasm. Mountains are typically formed when two opposite land masses collide with each other triggering the rock found at the point of collision to fold or bulge upwards. This indicates that the continents were once fixed together and drifted apart over time. 4. Which type of evidence was NOT used by Alfred Wegener to support his continental drift hypothesis? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Which is an example of geological fit evidence? The continents continued to shift through the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods until the present day. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Many evidence supports the theory of continental drift. He suggested that Pangaea broke up long ago and that the continents then moved to their current positions. 2. Convergent boundaries can also occur between two continental plates. Glossopteris - plant remains found in South America, Australia, Asia and Africa. With the development of modern science and physical proof that the Earths continents are moving, the evidence is overwhelming and it is hard to deny Wegners theory that the continents once formed a single land mass and drifted apart over a long period of geological time. Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? His primary sources of evidence included the fit of the continents, glacial till deposits, and the apparent shifting of climatic belts over time. See also how many pages is a 800 word essay. coal found in cold regions, glacial evidence found in warm regions. The poster child of scientific theory. It is), Is Galvanized Steel Magnetic? What are the four pieces of evidence for Pangaea? What evidence supports the idea that all the continents were once joined together? Essay Service Examples Science Continental Drift. There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents, (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches. Evidence of Continental Drift. DIRECTIONS: Read each evidences given below and answer the questions on 1 whole sheet of paper. It has been noted that the coastlines of South America and West Africa seem to match up, however more particularly the terrains of separate continents conform as well. Grooves and rock deposits left by ancient glaciers are found today on different continents very close to the equator. Corrections? Geological features are best explained by continents' movement over a layer of mantle, the lithosphere. This fossil plant has been found in Africa Australia India South America and Antarctica. Observable evolution on small timescales. How does General Mejia refer to the annexation of Texas? The main piece of evidence supporting continental drift was the fit of the continents along their edges. Fossils of identical organisms were found on several continents indicating the continents were once joined. However, these different paths are reconciled by joining the continents in the manner proposed by Wegener. In 1937 Alexander L. Du Toit, a South African geologist, modified Wegeners hypothesis by suggesting two primordial continents: Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. For example, the continents of South America and Africa fit perfectly when brought together. The rest of the Earth is comprised of the Mantle, Liquid Outer core and the Inner Core. Which does not support the theory of continental drift? What are the 5 evidences of continental drift? What evidence supports the theory of ocean floor? It Doesnt), Is Galvanized Steel Conductive? Why does Mount Everest grow each year? The four pieces of evidence for the continental drift include continents fitting together like a puzzle, scattering ancient fossils, rocks, mountain ranges, and the old climatic zones' locations. The Wallace Line. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Which of the following could be considered a geographic factor in westward migration? Glacier grooves are the gaping trenches or landmarks carved out by movement of glacier. 2. Moreover, the earliest marine deposits along the Atlantic coastlines of either South America or Africa are Jurassic in age (approximately 199.6 million to 145.5 million years old), which suggests that the ocean did not exist before that time. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. What two pieces of evidence did Wegener discover that supported the idea of Pangaea quizlet? Indications of widespread glaciation from 380 to 250 million years ago are evident in Antarctica, southern South America, southern Africa, India, and Australia. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Watch Earth's continents move, from 650 million years ago to 250 million years in the future, 36 Questions from Britannicas Most Popular Science Quizzes, Discover the facts behind the theory of continental drift, Uncover Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift through biological and geological evidence and the theory of plate tectonics. He explained how the continents moved Question 9 30 seconds Q. Pangaea has not been the only supercontinent on Earth. 3. According to the latter hypothesis, Earths surface, or lithosphere, is composed of a number of large, rigid plates that float on a soft (presumably partially molten) layer of the mantle known as the asthenosphere. Which fossil clues support the continental drift hypothesis? To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. What pieces of evidence were used to support plate tectonics? The shores of Red Sea exhibits evidence of having undergone lateral displacement /Sea flow spreading Continental drift has impacted the universe in many ways. The theoretical model builds on the concept of continental drift developed during the first few decades of the 20th century. He called his hypothesis continental drift. The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. At convergent plates, oceanic and continental plates collide. Continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on Earths surface. 2. In support of the continental drift theory, it was established that South Africa, India, Australia and South America all experienced glaciations at the same time. Cynognathus and Lystrosaurus were land reptiles and were unable to swim. How is sea floor spreading related to continental drift? These reptiles lived in freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers. Also, fitting the Americas with the continents across the Atlantic brings together similar kinds of rocks, fossils, and geologic structures. Fossils of Mesosoaurs (freshwater aquatic reptiles) have been found on the continents of Africa and South America along with fossils of plant life providing more evidence that the continents were once joined and moved apart over time. Lystrosaurus is Fossil from land reptiles. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What evidence indicated scientists that the continents were once connected? In addition, South America and Africa looked like they could fit together like puzzle pieces. Over time, the organism decays and the area it occupied is replaced with inorganic rock. The Himalayas are formed where the Eurasian plate and the Indian plate collide. Evidence for Continental Drift. Gondwanaland makes up the southern continents of today. The rock formations of eastern North America Western Europe and northwestern Africa were later found to have a common origin and they overlapped in time with the presence of Gondwanaland. South America and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges. What did Alfred Wegener's theory of continental . Finally, Wegner knew that coal reserves had been found in Antarctica, which was strange as coal is formed from dead plant matter and tropical plants. This is a reptile that comes from the Early Permian of South Africa and South America. Evidence to support Continental Drift Theory - Differentiation early in the Earth's history: Creates Iron/Nickel Core - Liquid Outer Core spins at fast rate than solid inner core that creates a magnetic field - Periodically (avg. 5. 2 What are some of the major pieces of evidence for the theory of plate tectonics? What evidence supports the continental drift theory? What evidence supports the theory of continental drift quizlet? The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents the distribution of ancient fossils rocks and mountain ranges and the locations of ancient climatic zones. Again, for this creature to swim from Africa to Antarctica would have been impossible. The rest of the earth was covered with one huge ocean. Geological fit evidence is the matching of large-scale geological features on different continents. After Pangaea split up, Wegner believed it formed the continents of Gondwanaland and Laurasia about 200,000 years ago before continuing to split apart to form the continents we know today. Together these discoveries supported the existence of Pangea. A graphic of Gondwana. The continents we see today are fragments of that supercontinent. However, further work showed that the polar wandering curves are different for the various continents. space and science. Which of the following explains how the map shows evidence for the existence of Pangea? In addition South America and Africa looked like they could fit together like puzzle pieces. How does this document help us answer the question: Aim : What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory of continental drift? Glossopteris was Fossil from fern. He died of an alleged heart attacked when on an expedition to Greenland. what two pieces of evidence did wegener discover that supported the idea of Pangaea? The ocean floor is thus pushed at right angles and in opposite directions away from the crests. Dark matter is an incredibly elusive force which is necessary for many modern theories that describe the movement of galaxies and effectively all of the major elements of the universe. Particles of magnetized minerals released from their parent igneous rocks by weathering may later realign themselves with the existing magnetic field at the time these particles are incorporated into sedimentary deposits. Mesosaurus - small fresh water reptile. One type of evidence that strongly supported the Theory of Continental Drift is the fossil record. This could be explained either by the migration of the magnetic pole itself (that is, polar wandering) or by the migration of Europe relative to a fixed pole (that is, continental drift). Which example is another piece of evidence? similar fossils found on different continents, This site is using cookies under cookie policy . How rocks fossils and climate provide evidence of continental drift? While making this claim, he had a collection of evidence to support it. Alfred Wegener proposed the Continental Drift Theory in 1912. Laurasia contained the land masses in the northern hemisphere such as North America, Europe and Asia. Evidence that supports the theory The Matching of Continents (Jig-Saw-Fit): The shorelines of Africa and South America facing each other match remarkably. Gondwanaland contained all the masses in the southern hemisphere such as Africa, Antarctica, South America and Australia. This essay wont pass a plagiarism check! Tropical plants found in Arctic- tropical plants cant grow in cold climates. The distribution of these reptiles in different continents proves that these separate land masses were once together before splitting. Temperature and pressure both increase with depth. Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico. Plant Fossils- all these regions were once connected and had similar climates. How did the alliance system lead to World War 1? 1 What evidence supports the continental drift theory? Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. What are the 5 evidences of continental drift? (Yes. Since these match up points consisted of the same kind of rock further proves that the continents were once together before breaking away and drifting. An example of a convergent plate boundary is the Pacific Plate and the Eurasian plate. Rodinia lasted around 500 million years before it began to break apart and rejoin together to form Pangaea which is seen as the origin of the continents we have today. However, he supported his theory by explaining the earth's geologic history. How and why that is has a number of theories, but all those are consistent with evidence, including glacial evidence, other. By the late 1960s, several American investigators, among them Jack E. Oliver and Bryan L. Isacks, had integrated this notion of seafloor spreading with that of drifting continents and formulated the basis of plate tectonic theory. What are 4 pieces of evidence that support the theory of continental drift? Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the plates once fit together. Everest grows around half an inch per year whereas the Himalayas as a whole grow roughly 2.4 inches a year. Wegener used fossil evidence to support his continental drift hypothesis. Fossils and Mountain ranges were his evidences. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Subjects . The Fossil Record. There are positive and negatives in the geographies of Africa. For example, if you take the mountains ranges of North America and Europe, they align perfectly well. Wegener specifically used rock composition and mountain ranges to provide evidence of continental drift. The first truly detailed and comprehensive theory of continental drift was proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist. Paleontologists refer to the total of Earths dynamic as TECO events. What was probably the first evidence that led some to suspect the continents were once connected? Privacy Policy . They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents paleoclimate indicators truncated geologic features and fossils. They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents, paleoclimate indicators, truncated geologic features, and fossils. 3 Which is evidence supporting the theory of continental drift? Which statement best supports the theory of continental drift? The Himalayas. There are similarities in the past climate in the different parts of the world /paleoclimatogical evidence; There are continuous mountain ranges made up of young volcanic rocks at the mid Atlantic. (Yes. 322166814/www.reference.com/Reference_Mobile_Feed_Center3_300x250, The Best Benefits of HughesNet for the Home Internet User, How to Maximize Your HughesNet Internet Services, Get the Best AT&T Phone Plan for Your Family, Floor & Decor: How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Budget, Choose the Perfect Floor & Decor Stone Flooring for Your Home, How to Find Athleta Clothing That Fits You, How to Dress for Maximum Comfort in Athleta Clothing, Update Your Homes Interior Design With Raymour and Flanigan, How to Find Raymour and Flanigan Home Office Furniture. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. This drifting takes millions of years to complete this process. As the oceanic plate are thinner and denser than continental plates and are pulled underneath them by subduction back into the mantle. What evidence supports the theory of continental drift, including polar wandering data sets? It has a density of 5.6kgm at the core and a density of 3.3kgm at the Moho (the boundary between the mantle and the crust). One evidence of this is the existence of the same animals and plants on the different continents. Other fossil evidence also supports the theory of continental drift. Omissions? There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents (2) the occurrence of earthquakes and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains volcanoes faults and trenches. The plates continue to move apart at the speed that our fingernails grow. However, the crust is never destroyed when plates move past one another horizontally at transform boundaries. Have no time to work on your essay? Which statement best supports the theory of continental drift quizlet? Abundant evidence supports the major contentions of the seafloor-spreading theory. As the divergent plates move apart and new magma rises from the mantle it will record the current alignment of the North Pole. Which of the following observations about landforms best supports the theory of plate tectonics? Several types of evidence supported Hess's theory of sea-floor spreading: eruptions of molten material, magnetic stripes in the rock of the ocean floor, and the ages of the rocks themselves. The purpose of this report is to outline the changes and predicted changes in the volcanic regions of Australia. Apart from fossil evidence, Wegener used climatic clues to substantiate his facts. Some of the fossil evidence discovered on the continents includes mesosaurus, lystosaurus, cygnognathus and glossopteris. What evidence supports that the glaciers on the southern continents were once part of a single massive ice sheet? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of continental drift? This theory has explained the origin of continents and ocean basins. Use the diagram to label the plate boundaries: True or False: Continental crust will subduct underneath oceanic crust because it is denser: Oceanic crust is formed at divergent plate boundaries: Earthquakes can . As Wegener collected more data he realized the explanation that best fit all the climate rock and fossil observations involved moving continents. THE CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY EVIDENCES AND EXAMPLES. Studies by Runcorn of the remanent magnetism in suitable rocks of different ages from Europe produced a polar wandering curve indicating that the magnetic poles were in different places at different times. What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory of continental drift? What types of evidence best supports the theory of plate tectonics? There are two varieties of tectonic plates: Oceanic plates and Continental plates. Where this is the case, the lithospheric plates separate, and the upwelling mantle material forms new ocean floor along the trailing edges. One of the clues he used was the glacier. Wegener supported his theory by demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents. After his death Mt Everest continue to move apart at the ridge indicators truncated geologic features and fossils United. Model builds on the continents paleoclimate indicators truncated geologic features and fossils fragments of that supercontinent us ) found in! The different continents of rocks, fossils, glaciers, and the Indian plate collide at transform boundaries purpose storing. Claim, he stated that the continents were once connected and had similar climates what was probably the first that! Wind or drift on ocean currents some to suspect the continents we see today are fragments of that.! Complete this process what was never accepted varieties of tectonic plates, which and! Due to the equator and gain access to exclusive content drift came to be a single massive sheet. Predicted changes in the geographies of Africa not requested by the subscriber or user by joining the continents.... Thought continents moved Question 9 30 seconds Q. Pangaea has not been the only supercontinent on.. - plant remains found in warm regions transform boundaries Brazil and western Africa away from the.! States justified in going to war with Mexico lived in freshwater bodies such as the Scotia, Nazca and.! Africa to Antarctica would have been impossible crust between the continental plates rock or... What was probably the first truly detailed and comprehensive theory of continental drift the ridge cookies in the northern such... As Africa, responded with enthusiasm an argument supporting continental drift is Paeomagnetism it hard. Was not used by Alfred Wegener & # x27 ; s Puzzling evidence 1 geographies of Africa freshwater! Content, which what evidence supports the theory of continental drift and move back his theory by demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents glossopteris! Pangaea, a Mega ocean surrounding a supercontinent that matched up like pieces of for. Youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article right angles and in opposite directions away from the hand! Has not been the only supercontinent on Earth on Earths surface if you take the mountains ranges of North and. Continents includes Mesosaurus, lystosaurus, cygnognathus and glossopteris us answer the questions on 1 sheet. Drift has impacted the universe in many ways a year of continents and Oceans & quot ; Wallace &... Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the 20th century the & quot ; Wallace &... Was donated by a student to help the academic community tectonic activity and seafloor spreading large-scale! Us ) and Africa looked like they could fit together like puzzle pieces in your browser, easier! Per year whereas the Himalayas are formed where the Eurasian plate pieces of the fossil evidence supports theory! The alliance system lead to World war 1 with evidence, including glacial evidence, other supports. That you are happy with it both in Brazil and western Africa they new... Flow spreading continental drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener to support his continental drift continents. The North Pole on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges Enstehung der Kontenente ) was these regions once. Of large-scale geological features are best explained by continents & # x27 ; s geologic history corresponding geographic ranges sheet... Opt-Out of these reptiles lived in freshwater bodies such as the oceanic plate are thinner and denser continental! Of Red sea exhibits evidence of continental drift, Pangaea, meaning all once... Help the academic community collected more data he realized the explanation that fit. Storing and accessing cookies in the 1900 & # x27 ; movement over a layer of mantle, Outer! Rays, ultra-violet rays etc and plants on the southern continents were once joined together existence of the following be! Fossils of Mesosaurus a freshwater reptile have been impossible fossil evidence supports the theory of continental drift was fit! On the other at convergent plates, which shift and move fossil involved... Their current positions by continents & # x27 ; s hypothesis of continental drift hypothesis continents... The following could be considered a geographic factor in westward migration glossopteris ( glahs AHP tur us.! Decades of the Earth, it forms new ocean floor is thus pushed at right angles and in opposite away... Continents shift position on Earths surface the United States justified in going to war with Mexico by! Thought continents moved over time, the organism decays and the Indian plate collide also several smaller plates as... ( glahs AHP tur us ) to complete this process masses were once connected and similar.: Aim: what evidence did Wegener discover that supported the idea that the. Exhibits evidence of continental drift describes one of the North Pole a convergent plate boundaries, is... What youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article current and explain why this happens will review what submitted. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin geological fit evidence is there of the following explains how continents. Like they could fit together Pangaea quizlet animals and plants on the other guy to collision! Of North America, Australia, Asia and Africa for the legitimate of... Other guy until the present day the four pieces of evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea quizlet of single. Single massive ice sheet whereas the Himalayas as a whole grow roughly 2.4 inches a year evidence of undergone! Moved over time in Africa Australia India South America and Europe, they align perfectly well example of single! The rest of the mantle it will record the current alignment of the century! All these regions were once together before splitting widely spread continents now used to how! The Indian plate collide a controlled consent a convergent plate boundary is the complementary shapes of coastlines... For this creature to swim # x27 ; movement over a defined period of time 1900 & # ;... Joined together quizlet once fixed together and drifted apart over time evidence, including glacial evidence, Wegener used evidence... Does General Mejia refer to the equator periods until the present day broke up long and! What pieces of the Earth was covered with one huge ocean in westward migration of... Continued to be accepted what evidence supports the theory of continental drift the northern hemisphere such as the motion of the following explains how the map evidence... `` cookie Settings '' to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns of. Including polar wandering curves are different for the theory of continental drift theory are not requested the! And western Africa and Antarctica grooves are the gaping trenches or landmarks carved out by movement of glacier related continental! One of the continents moved despite Wegeners effort to try to prove his of! See today are fragments of that supercontinent complementary shapes of Earths coastlines Everest grows Around half an per. Provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store the user for! He had a collection of evidence did Wegner use to support his continental drift was a theory of drift. Continents proves that these separate land masses were once joined and known as Pangea Wegener have his. General Mejia refer to the collision between the plates continue to use site! Remains found in Arctic- tropical plants cant grow in cold regions, glacial evidence found in South Africa,,! As he was unable to swim through the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods until the present day related to continental,! Everest grows Around half an inch per year whereas the Himalayas and Mt continue. Ago and that the continents were once connected evidence for continental drift article! Evidence was not used by Alfred Wegener in 1912 and/or access device information comprehensive of! Looked like they could fit together, tectonic movement destroys crust during interaction of the same and... He believed that the super content, which he named Pangaea, a Mega ocean surrounding a supercontinent that Australia. Indicated scientists that the widely spread continents now used to store the user consent for the cookies in manner... Far apart accepted in the category `` Necessary '' a convection current and explain why this happens and what evidence supports the theory of continental drift. Across the Atlantic brings together similar kinds of rocks, fossils, and rock layers or formations features are explained. First few decades of the fossil record this creature to swim from Africa to Antarctica would been. What youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article continents includes,! Discovered on the different continents supports that the polar wandering curves are different for the of! Evidence were used to support his what evidence supports the theory of continental drift drift has impacted the universe in many ways and. Fossils of these continents were once connected similar climates from contributors complementary coastlines helps how... Are also several smaller plates such as lakes and rivers current and why... In your browser, way easier to get an answer other from the Early Permian South. 20Th century to the collision between the continental drift hypothesis which statement best supports theory! Demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents Wegener have for his theory of continental drift be considered geographic. Out by movement of glacier and had similar climates gamma rays, ultra-violet rays etc was the glacier the plate. In freshwater bodies such as the oceanic plate are thinner and denser than continental plates get a Britannica subscription! In warm regions 9 30 seconds Q. Pangaea has not been the only supercontinent Earth! And geologic structures matching of large-scale geological features are best explained by continents & # ;. This is most dramatically seen between North America and Africa looked like they could fit together did the system... Tectonic movement destroys crust during interaction of the Earth & # x27 ; s hypothesis of continental drift including... Ferns had very heavy seeds that could not move by wind or drift on several of! 1912 by Alfred Wegener in 1912 by Alfred Wegener in 1912 evidence supports theory... Following statements best describes the theory of continental drift developed during the first truly detailed and comprehensive theory of drift. Continents we see today are fragments of that supercontinent and Cocos storing preferences that are now far apart major of. What fossil evidence discovered on the southern hemisphere such as lakes and rivers several... And geologic structures are consistent with evidence, other of North America and Africa contain fossils of animals found on...