Continental Drift

The Geological Society Visit this website to read and better understand the theory of continental drift, Alfred Wegener and the evidence that supports the theory. Reviewing this will help to answer the questions that follow. Continental Drift-Click here to visit the website Complete each sentence by selecting the proper term from the drop-down options.(You may need to scroll in the option box to see all choices.) Almost 100 years ago, Alfred Wegener noticed similarities in shapes of the continents' coastlines. The shape of Earth's continents fit together just like a puzzle. He suggested that long ago Earth's continents were part of one supercontinent: Pangaea. Wegener proposed that Earth's continents are in constant motion on the surface of the Earth. Wegener's hypothesis is known as the theory of continental drift. In an effort to find evidence to support his theory, Wegener studied the fossils of prehistoric plants and animals that once lived on continents now separated by oceans. Other evidence was found in climate clues, which revealed glacial grooves on continents that today are located in warm climates. According to Wegener, these continents were once located near the South Pole and were covered by a large ice sheet. Wegener also discovered clues in rock when he observed that mountain ranges on different continents have similar ages, mineral content and geologic structures. An example of similar mountain ranges are the Caledonian Mountains in northern Europe and the Appalachian Mountains in North America. Identify reasons why scientists refused to accept Wegener's theory of continental drift. (Select all choices that are correct.) The drifting was such a slow process and they didn't have scientific tools to measure it The scientists couldn't see or feel the movement. Wegener didn't share his idea with other scientists of his time. Wegener couldn't explain the force that was moving the continents. T or F Wegener proposed the continental drift hypothesis suggesting that continents are in constant motion on the surface of the Earth. True False T or F Glossopteris was a supercontinent consisting of Earth's present-day continents. True False T or F One of Alfred Wegener's pieces of evidence for continental drift was data from the seafloor. True False T or F Wegener used fossil ferns called Glosspeteris to suggest that a supercontinent existed about 250 million years ago. True False T or F Glacial grooves in rocks in Africa suggest that this continent was once located in a much colder place. True False T or F Rocks with a similar makeup and age in North America and Europe supported Wegener's idea of moving continents. True False T or F Coal beds in Antarctica suggest that this continent once had a warm climate. True False T or F Prior to his death, Wegener's hypothesis of moving continents was not accepted by many. True False T or F The puzzle-like fit of continental coastlines was one piece of evidence Wegener used to suggest that the continents were once joined. True False