The Theory of Continental Drift

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The Theory of Continental Drift
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Continental Drift Theory

• Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912
• 250 million years ago, all of the continents were
  combined into one super-continent called
  Pangaea
• The continents gradually drifted apart to where
  they are today

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Evidence to Support the Theory
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Puzzle Pieces

• Continents look like they could be part of a
  giant jigsaw puzzle

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Distribution of Fossils

• Plant and animal fossils found on the coastlines
  of different continents

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Sequence of Rocks

• Same rock patterns found in South America, India,
  Africa, Antarctica and Australia

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Ancient Climates

• Tropical plant remains (coal deposits) found in
  Antarctica
• Glaciation in Africa, South America, India, and
  Australia during the same time

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Problems With The Theory

• No mechanism for movement of continents
• Wind and currents could possibly move fossils
• Theory was not accepted by scientists

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Exit-Slip

• Who came up with Continental Drift?
• Give at least 2 types of observational evidence
  he used.
• Was the theory accepted of rejected by other
  scientists?