Do you believe in continental drift theory why or why not? Continental drift was a revolutionary theory explaining that continents shift position on Earth’s surface . The theory was proposed by geophysicist and meteorologist Alfred Wegener in 1912, but was rejected by mainstream science at the time.
Why was the continental drift theory not believed?
The main reason that Wegener’s hypothesis was not accepted was because he suggested no mechanism for moving the continents . He thought the force of Earth’s spin was sufficient to cause continents to move, but geologists knew that rocks are too strong for this to be true.
Why continental drift theory is important?
What do you understand by continental drift theory?
The theory deals with the distribution of the oceans and the continents . According to Wegener’s Continental Drift theory, all the continents were one single continental mass (called a Super Continent) – Pangaea and a Mega Ocean surrounded this supercontinent. The mega ocean is known by the name Panthalassa.
Which statement best supports the theory of continental drift?
One type of evidence that strongly supported the Theory of Continental Drift is the fossil record . 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.
What was the one weakness of the theory of continental drift?
The main issue with Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory was he did not have a mechanism behind the drifting of continents . He had a substantial amount of evidence that made sense; nonetheless, without a driving force behind it, the scientific community simply discredited his entire idea.
Was Alfred Wegener’s theory accepted?
Wegener first presented his idea of continental drift in 1912, but it was widely ridiculed and soon, mostly, forgotten. Wegener never lived to see his theory accepted —he died at the age of 50 while on an expedition in Greenland. Only decades later, in the 1960s, did the idea of continental drift resurface.
What evidence supported the theory of continental drift?
In the early part of the 20th century, scientists began to put together evidence that the continents could move around on Earth’s surface. 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 .
Why did scientists not accept the continental drift hypothesis quizlet?
Why did scientists not accept the Continental Drift hypothesis? It was based on observations from the southern hemisphere which was unfamiliar to most geologists .
Are the continents still moving?
A new landmass discovered beneath a tiny island off the coast of Madagascar is a reminder that Earth’s continents are always on the move , continuously drifting together before breaking apart in a never-ending cycle that will one day lead to another Pangaea.
What is the conclusion of continental drift?
Wegener took the areas that had been covered by ice sheets and fitted them together around the south pole. HIS CONCLUSION – the continents were once part of a single larger continent that then split apart, drifting to their present positions over the last 300 million years .
What statement best supports the theory that all the continents were once a single landmass?
Which statement best supports the theory that all the continents were once a single landmass? Rock and fossil correlation can be made where the continents appear to fit together . Which statement best supports the theory of continental drift? The present continents appear to fit together as pieces of a larger landmass.
What were some other reasons why Wegener’s theory was not accepted at first?
Wegener’s inability to provide an adequate explanation of the forces responsible for continental drift and the prevailing belief that the earth was solid and immovable resulted in the scientific dismissal of his theories.
How did Wegener change the world?
In 1920s America, people referred to continental drift as the Taylor-Wegener theory. Wegener found that identical fossils could be found on different continents , supporting his theory that continents which are now far apart were once linked.
What type of evidence was not used to support the continental drift hypothesis?
Terms in this set (10)
Which type of evidence was NOT used by Alfred Wegener to support his continental drift hypothesis? fossil .
Will continental drift happen again?
For now it appears that in 250 million years, the Earth’s continents will be merged again into one giant landmass ...just as they were 250 million years before now.
What are examples of continental drift?
The fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile rather like a small crocodile, found both in Brazil and South Africa , are one example; another is the discovery of fossils of the land reptile Lystrosaurus in rocks of the same age at locations in Africa, India, and Antarctica.
What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?
How would you explain the theory of continental drift to a 7th grader?
The theory of continental drift proposes that the continents are drifting away from each other because they are located on tectonic plates, or sections that make up the Earth’s crust, the outermost rigid layer of the Earth . These plates are constantly moving around on the Earth’s surface, like rafts in a pool.
