Students will read, color and organize lesson concepts. Alfred wegener developed theory of continental drift alfred wegener was a german meteorologist studied weather credited with development of the continental. Evidence for continental drift theory coastlines of continents fit together like a puzzle. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. On the puzzle pieces handout, assign a color to each type of fossil or mountain belt in the legend and color the areas on the landmasses. Seafloor spreading theory sfst seafloor spreading describes the movement of. Another important piece of evidence in the continental drift theory is the fossil relevance. Alfred was trying to get his girlfriends father to like him. Wegener believed they were examples of a new theorycontinental drift, the gradual movement of continents across earths surface. The theory has now been included in the wider theory of plate tectonics. Polar wandering similar to continental drift theory polar wandering is the relative movement of the earths crust and upper mantle with respect to the rotational poles of the earth. Based on the work of previous scientists who had theorized about horizontal movement of the continents.
However, over the past 50 years, scientists have used the theory of continental drift to develop the current theory the theory of plate tectonics. It was fully developed by the german geologist and meteorologist alfred wegener in 1915. Seeds were borne on one side of variably branched or fused structures, and microsporangia containing pollen were borne in clusters at the tips of slender filaments. The continents were once joined in a supercontinent and have moved over time.
Jan 04, 2011 glossopteris is a fossil plant that has been discovered in specific areas on various continents. Theory of continental drift the continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. It reproduced by seeds, and a tremendous variety of both ovule bearing and pollen bearing reproductive structures are borne on characteristic glossopteris leaves. There are various examples of fossils found on separate continents and in no other regions. The speculation that continents might have drifted was first put forward by abraham ortelius in 1596. Continental drift is a historical, scientific theory. Continental drift was a revolutionary scientific theory developed in the years 19081912 by alfred wegener 18801930, a german meteorologist, climatologist, and geophysicist, that put forth the hypothesis that the continents had all originally been a part of one enormous landmass or supercontinent about 240 million years ago before breaking apart and drifting to. Continental drift theory no need to take notes i have taken them for you 2. Pangaea evidence of continental driftevidence of continental drift coastlines coasts of africa and south america among others match like puzzle pieces mountain chains.
Theory of continental drift continental drift coastlines. Jul 24, 2019 continental drift was a revolutionary scientific theory developed in the years 19081912 by alfred wegener 18801930, a german meteorologist, climatologist, and geophysicist, that put forth the hypothesis that the continents had all originally been a part of one enormous landmass or supercontinent about 240 million years ago before breaking apart and drifting to their current locations. These activities will supplement any lesson or style of teaching. There he argued for the separation of wegeners pangea into the two super continents, laurasia and gondwana. The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20 th century, mostly by alfred wegener. You will be piecing together a puzzle of the supercontinent pangea based on fossil and rock evidence on the present day continents. Wegener first presented his theory of continental drift publicly in a lecture on january 6, 1912. Fossils fossils of the same animals were found on many. He wrote the origin of continents and oceans dealing with the theory in 1915.
The hypothesis of continental drift led to plate tectonicsa theory that explains many processes in earth. According to continental drift theory there existed one big landmass which he called pangaea which was covered by one big ocean called panthalassa. Try to logically piece the continents together so that they form a giant supercontinent. The movement of land masses is due to centrifugal and tidal forces.
Pdf palaeogeography is the cartographic representation of the. For example, the fossils of the seed fern glossopteris were too heavy to be. Glossopteris was a group of woody gymnosperm plants with wide but mostly. Glossopteris is a fossil plant that has been discovered in specific areas on various continents. At the time of his death in 1930, the technology needed to validate continental drift was still decades away. How did the discovery of glossopteris support wegeners. Continental drift simple english wikipedia, the free. Use the short nonfiction reading passages to help students learn while they work. Glossopteris was a woody, seedbearing shrub or tree, some apparently reaching 30 meters tall. It was fully developed by the german geologist and meteorologist alfred wegener in 1915 the theory said that parts of the earths crust move slowly on top of a liquid mantle of higher density. Later, seismometersinstruments that measure the motions of the groundand other technologies showed that continental drift was real. Glossopteris occurred in a variety of growth forms. Theory of continental drift physical geography lumen learning. Blank of the plant glossopteris provided evidence for wegeners hypothesis for continental drift.
Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. Notes continental drift wegener said that if this was true, mountains should be found all over earth, but they usually occur in bands along the edges of continents. Do the clues support the theory of continental drift. The concept was independently and more fully developed by alfred wegener in 1912, but his theory was rejected. Alfred wegener suggested continental drift theory in the 1920s.
Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other, thus appearing to have drifted across the ocean bed. The theory was first proposed by abraham ortelius in 1596. Wegener thought all the continents were once joined together in an urkontinent before breaking up and drifting to. Continental drift wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart.
The book was revised in 1920, 1922 and 1929 in response to criticisms of the theory and advances in earth sciences. Alfred wegener, a german meteorologist, was the first to begin to work out details to explain this interesting observation. Continental drift notes 92014 theory of continental drift. That the continents of the world all started together in a single landmass, and have since drifted apart. According to the hypothesis of continental drift, continents have moved slowly to their current locations.
They broke apart about 200 million years ago and drifted apart to their current positions. To begin with, the current geologic theory was that the crust was all. Alfred wegeners fossil evidence for continental drift is shown on the cutouts. Explain the different evidence that supports the theory of continental drift. Continental drift mystery is the theory of continental drift true. Continental drift p95 red book, 182 in sciencesaurus theory that continents were once part of a single landmass that broke apart and have moved to their present locations. Continental drift was a revolutionary scientific theory developed in the years 19081912 by alfred wegener 18801930, a german meteorologist, climatologist, and geophysicist, that put forth the hypothesis that the continents had all originally been a part of one enormous landmass or supercontinent about 240 million years ago before breaking apart and drifting to their current locations. Theory of continental drift theory of continental drift continental drift alfred wegener 1912 theory that all landmasses were once joined. In fact, wegeners new theory came at a revolutionary time in the science of geology.
Decide whether the clues support the theory of continental drift, or whether they do not support the theory of continental drift. Wegener noticed that the continents fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. He published his observations in a geological comparison of south america with south africa1927, and later he developed his ideas in our wandering continents 1937. The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century. According to wegeners theory, 225 million years ago, all the land on earth was part of one huge landmass. All of josephs children and grandchildren who happened to be at the house at the time for a fathers day celebration, eagerly awaited the reading of josephs will, since they all knew that he would provide each of his blood relatives with an equal share of his wealth. Continental drift theory continental drift is the hypothesis that all the continents had once been joined together in a single landmass. This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil transfer. Wegener and his theory of continental drift indian academy of. Glossopteris leaves are commonly found in thick mats, and thus some authorities speculate that the plants were deciduous. Dec 16, 2019 continental drift refers to the movement of the continents relative to each other. Wegeners continental drift theory pangaea, a single supercontinent, existed about 300 million years ago. Professor alfred wegener of germany was primarily a meteorologist. The earth is broken into lithospheric plates that move due to convection currents.
Glossopteris, genus of fossilized woody plants known from rocks that have been dated to the permian and triassic periods roughly 300 to 200 million years ago, deposited on the southern supercontinent of gondwana. This concept was an important precursor to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which incorporates it. In 1 915, wegener published his ideas in a book, on the origin ofcontinents and oceans. All continents were once connected in a single large landmass. Continental drift and plate tectonics university of iceland. Continental drift theory earth sciences quiz quizizz.
Continental drift refers to the movement of the continents relative to each other. The evidence which gave rise to the theory of continental drift more correctly called plate tectonics includes the following. Its most common fossil is that of a tongueshaped leaf with prominent midrib and reticulate venation. The theory states that earth was once a supercontinent pangaea and floated apart over a long period of time. They had a softwood interior that resembles conifers of the family araucariaceae. Use wegeners fossil evidence to place them in the correct positions. Wegener examines the location of tiny rocks and the direction of grooves formed by large glaciers scraping across southern areas of. The coasts of the continents surrounding the atlantic ocean could, if the continents were moved closer, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Similarly, fossils of glossopteris, an extinct genus of gymnosperms that flourished between 300 and 250 ma, are found in coal beds of south america, south africa.
They can also be used as standalone reinforcement, homework or iep accommodation providing guided notes or 1 to 1 recording as a support. He published his observations in a geological comparison of south america with south africa1927, and later he developed his ideas in our wandering continents1937. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A fossilized plant found on different continents 2. Geologist eduard seuss points out that fossils of the glossopteris plant are found in southern africa, south america, australia, antarctica, and india. Theory of continental was purposed by alferedwegner in 1912 3. The locations where glossopteris fossils and coal beds are found today was one of the pieces of evidence used by alfred wegener in support of his hypothesis about continental drift.
This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil. Fossils the idea of continents moving slowly over earths surface was developed by german scientist blank. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. When wegener first proposed the idea of continental drift, his theory was controversial. Figure 12glossopteris, mesosaurus fossils and rocks found on different continents provide evidence that earths landmasses once were joined together. Pdf a historical account of how continental drift and plate tectonics. From there you will look at alfred wegener and how he supported his idea of continental drift a forerunner to plate tectonics. The continental drift theory alfred wegener 18801930 a german meteorologist and polar explorer introduced the continental drift theory in his book, the origin of continents and oceans, published in 1915. Even though the earth seems relatively unchanging, scientists have evidence that the earths surface actually is changing. Fresh water dinosaur found on different continents 7. Continental drift plates in the crust of the earth, according to the plate tectonics theory from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia continental drift is the movement of the earths continents relative to each other. Unfortunately, wegener died before his theory was ever accepted. This was the time when reptiles and winged insects first appeared.
Continental drift theory alfred wegener, 1922 plate tectonics breakup of pangea. In the early 1900s, german meteorologist alfred wegener developed a theory describing how the continental land masses were moving across the earth. His other major discovery was that the fossil glossopteris fern was. It later separated into smaller land masses that drifted through the earths crust and continue to do so. Cut out each of the continents along the edge of the continental shelf the outermost dark line. The theory said that parts of the earths crust move slowly on top of a liquid mantle of higher density. The locations where glossopteris fossils and coal beds are found today was one of the pieces of evidence used by alfred wegener in support of his.
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