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Plate Tectonics

Explore the fascinating theory of Continental Drift proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, which suggests that all continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart. Discover the intriguing evidence from fossils, rock formations, and climate that support this groundbreaking idea.

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Plate Tectonics

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  1. Plate Tectonics I feel the earth move under my feet!

  2. Continental Drift • In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed a hypothesis that would change history forever… Continental Drift. He proposed that at one time in earth’s history all the continents had been joined into a super continent. About 200 million years ago, the continents began to drift apart until reaching today’s location.

  3. Before and After

  4. Evidence for Continental Drift • Wegener used four pieces of evidence to support his hypothesis. Many cartographers (map makers) had notice that the shapes of the coastlines of some of the continents fit like puzzle pieces. Wegener needed more scientific evidence.

  5. 1. Fossil Evidence • This consists of both plant and animal evidence. Fossilized ferns, a tropical plant, were found in Antarctica. • Mesosaurs, a small extinct land reptile, has fossils found in both South America and Africa. This reptile could not fly or swim, but he could walk!

  6. Fossilized ferns

  7. 2. Evidence from rock formations • The ages and types of rocks in the coastal regions of widely separated areas, such as Eastern United States and Western Europe, match exactly.

  8. 3. Climatic Evidence • There is evidence of glaciers in South America and Africa. ??? Aren’t glaciers in cold places??? • Coal has been located in Antarctica. ??? Coal forms how?

  9. Why didn’t people believe? • Wegener believed that the continents plowed through the rock on the ocean floor. WHAT A CRAZY THOUGHT! • Science actually proved this idea to be false. • Wegener spent the rest of his life trying to find the missing mechanism for continental drift!!

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