Continental Drift Theory

Continental Drift Theory1What was Alfred Wegeners hypothesis?What did Wegener propose to be true in his 1915 book titled, The Origin of Continents and Oceans?

2Pangaea = Super ContinentTheorized that all of the continents were together as one large landmass, 300 million years ago.

Over time, the continents split into separate pieces and shifted around the world.

3Pangaea Splitting Apart

4Pangaea Splitting Apart

5Pangaea Splitting Apart

6Pangaea Splitting Apart

7The Continental Drift Theory was not an original idea. Abraham Ortelius first announced his theory in 1596. What set Alfred Wegener apart from his predecessors and stirried up the scientific community?

8Wegener had evidence to support his theory

91) Coastlines and LandformsThe continents fit together like a puzzle and landforms like mountain chains also join together when the pieces are matched up.

101) Coastlines and LandformsNotice the mountain chains in purple

111) Coastlines and LandformsWhen the continents are reassembled, the mountain chains form a continuous belt, thus having the same rock types, structures and rock ages.

121) Coastlines and LandformsHere is a better look at the landform features (mountains)

132) ClimateCoal that is formed in warm swampy areas was found in Antarctica.

Signs of glacial scarring found in rocks of mild climates.

Tropical plant fossils found on island in the Arctic Ocean.

Glacial features of the same age found in areas that would match up if landmass pieced together

143) Fossils Mesosaurus

153) Fossils All 4 in one mapCynognathus - land reptile

Lystrosaurus land reptile

Mesosaurus freshwater reptile

Glossopteris - fern

16Problem!Wegener couldnt explain HOW the continents moved and the theory was shelved for several years.

17Task #1Use the first letter of the four fossils mentioned earlier (C, M, L, G) to create a cast or mold of an imaginary Pangaea fossil.

18Preparing for Task #2Synthesize Take two different things and explain relationships between the twoExample #1: Gum and the weathering of rocks

Example #2: Newspaper and soil composition19Task #2Using what you know about the human body and the Continental Drift Theory, synthesize the two to make connections between their relationship.

20