Continental Drift Alfred Wegener – 1915 Continental Jigsaw Puzzle Fossils Matched across the sea Common rock types (Africa and Appalachian) Ancient Climates

Fossil and Rock Evidence

Rejected There was no credible mechanism for the movement of continents

Theory of Plate Tectonics WWII oceanographers – large picture of the ocean floor. Ocean ridges Ocean drilling – established the age of the ocean floor Paleomagnetism

Age of Ocean Floor

paleomagnetism

Plate boundaries

Divergent boundaries

Plate boundaries – pacific view

Rift zone

Convergent boundaries

Volcanic formation

Transform boundary

Ring of Fire

How is sediment formed Weathering Mass wasting Erosion

Weathering Rocks are broken down to sediment through the process of either Mechanical weathering Chemical weathering

Mechanical Weathering Physical breaking up of rock - disintegration Rock is broken into smaller pieces Frost Wedging Sheeting Biological activity

Frost Wedging

Sheeting

Biological weathering

Chemical Weathering Alters internal structure of the mineral by removing and/or adding elements Oxidation Carbonic Acid

Oxidation Water is the agent of chemical weathering. Oxygen dissolved in water will oxidize iron-rich minerals

Carbonic acid Carbon dioxide dissolved in water forms a weak acid. This weak acid will react with mineral elements; breaking the rock down.

Mass Wasting The transfer of rock and soil downslope, under the influence of gravity. Mudslide Rockslide Earthflow slump

Triggers of Mass Wasting Over saturation of land Over steepened slopes Loss of vegetation Earthquakes

Erosion The physical removal of material by a mobile agent such as flowing water, waves, wind or ice Water Wind

Combination of sediment and organic matter Soil Combination of sediment and organic matter