Theory of Continental Drift

The 1st group to finish their puzzle wins! THE AMAZING RACE! No Talking No Pushing or the like The 1st group to finish their puzzle wins!

A Puzzle How do you put a puzzle together? What do you look for? Do you notice anything on this map? Think “puzzle pieces”

Let’s see what he thought! Alfred Wegener German scientist who noticed the same thing you did – that South America and Africa look like pieces to a puzzle. This observation led to his hypothesis that all the continents were once joined together, and have since drifted apart. Let’s see what he thought!

Theory Rejected! The scientists of Alfred Wegener’s day did not accept his theory. Why? He had no explanation of how the continents moved! So he collected evidence to prove them wrong.

Landform Evidence When Wegener placed South America and Africa next to each other, he noticed that a mountain range in Argentina matched up with a mountain range on other continents. He also noticed that coal fields in Brazil were identical to coal fields in South Africa.

Fossil Evidence Wegener also used fossil evidence to support his theory. Glossopteris Fernlike plant Grew in tropical climates (warm, wet areas) Fossils found in Antarctica, as well as Africa, South America, Australia and India. The seeds were too large to be carried by wind The seeds were too fragile to survive a trip in the ocean How did they develop on all those continents? What did he infer from this evidence?

Fossil Evidence Ancient reptiles Mesosaurus Lystrosaurus Cynognathus These reptiles were land animals, and lived near fresh water. Wegener found fossils of these reptiles on many continents, too far apart for them to have traveled that distance, UNLESS?

Fossil Evidence

Climate Evidence Continental glaciers are thick layers/rivers of ice that move across the land Because of their size and weight, they leave grooves, or striations, on the surface of the land. Wegener found striations left by glaciers in South Africa (glaciation). What did Wegener infer from this evidence? Did you know that there are glacial striations in Rhode Island? What can you infer about Rhode Island?

Let’s Put It All Together! http://www.teachersdo main.org/asset/lsps07_i nt_biogeography/ Puzzle like fit of continents Matching mountain ranges Same fossils found on many continents Glaciation and other climate clues

Questions?

What do you think Pangaea looked like? Now your turn: What do you think Pangaea looked like?