theories of geological evolution. first stop catastrophism how is it possible to explain the world...

Theories of Geological Evolution

First Stop

CatastrophismHow is it possible to explain the worldaround you, without science?

Until the 1700s, most Europeans thought that a Biblical Flood played a major role in shaping the Earth's surface.

Catastrophism – the theory that Earth’s features are

mostly accounted for by violent, large- scale events that occurred in a

relatively short amount of time.

Second Stop

UniformitarianismIn the 1785 a new theorywas proposed by James Hutton, called Uniformitarianism.Charles Lyell expanded on this theory and wrote “Principals of Geology.”

Uniformitarianism – the theory that Earth’s features are mostly accounted for by

gradual, small-scale processes that occurred over long periods of time.

“The present is th

e key to th

e past.”

Notes1st theory – Catastrophism Earth shaped by catastrophes

2nd theory – UniformitarianismEarth shaped gradually by constant geologic processes

3rd theory – Continental DriftContinents were once connected and then drifted apart

4th theory – Plate Tectonics Convection seafloor spreading push and pull of

Earth’s plates

The Rise and Fall of a theory…and how it was saved changed.

Using 4 lines of evidence, Wegener was able to identify that the

continents were onceassembled asPangaea.

Third Stop

Continental Drift

NAME the Evidence

Fourth Stop ---- Final Stop

Plate Tectonics Solving the mystery of Drifting

Continents.

Harry Hess

With the person next to you:

1. Review your guided notes and list all of the evidences used in the theory of plate tectonics.

2. Draw a model of seafloor spreading and include the following aspects

◦ Mid-ocean ridge (MOR)◦ 2 lithospheric plates, include your crusts◦ 2 Convection Currents