What is this??? PANGAEA
WATCH MY EXAMPLE AND FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME TO SET THIS UP Bottom Label: Continental Drift Theory Sections: 1. What is it? 2. What evidence supports it? 3. How does it happen? 4. What does it look like?
The earth’s continents were once joined in a mega continent called Pangaea and gradually drifted apart. Developed by Alfred Wegner.
1. Fossils: Fossils of the same ancient reptile were found on South America and Africa and no where else.
2. Climate: Fossils of tropical plants have been found in areas that are now covered in ice. Evidence of ice has been found in areas that are now tropical. 3. Geology: Rocks that make up the eastern part of South America match rocks that make up the western coast of Africa.
4. Puzzle Piece: If you pushed Africa and South America together, they look like they would lock together like a giant puzzle piece or a continental best friend necklace.
Convection Currents: the constant rising of hot magma and the falling of cool magma in the mantle ◦ This movement causes Earth’s plates to move
Scientists found coconut fossils in Antarctica where it is very cold. Describe how this is possible in at least 2 sentences.
The movement of the food coloring represents the movement of magma in the Earth’s mantle This movement is what causes Earth’s continents to move away from each other
Pay attention to the Earth’s mantle and crust What did you just see?
Remind Me… 1. What is it? 2. What evidence supports it? 3. How does it happen? 4. What does it look like?
How would the position of the continents have been different if the inner core was made of a solid block of ice and not hot iron? a. The continents would still be one mega continent, Pangaea b. The continents would be the same position as they are today
What is the name of the mega continent? Who proposed the theory of continental drift? What is the theory of continental drift? What are the 3 types of evidence that support this theory? Why do the continents move apart? How do convection currents cause the plates to move? Why is it possible we could find fossils of tropical plants in Alaska? How is it possible that similar animal fossils are found on two separate continents?
Complete the activity on Continental Drift and Convection Currents ◦ Use your notes and knowledge from our class discussions! Independent practices = SILENT
Study for LEQ #2 assessment ◦ You will take it at the beginning of next class