1. Question #1 : What 2 pieces of evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory of Continental Drift?  Fossil Evidence  The shape of the continents

2. 8.9A Alfred Wegener & Plate Tectonics August 29, 2013

3. Who is Alfred Wegener?  Developed theory of continental drift in 1912  Fact: The idea was originally presented in the late 1500s!  Controversial idea  people thought it was a crazy idea even though he had evidence Check out my video clip!

4. Alfred is unpopular…  He has evidence, so why do people not believe him? Answer: he can’t explain what force exists that is strong enough to move huge landmasses. Not this force.

5. What was Pangaea?  Supercontinent that existed 250mya  Started to break up 225- 200mya  Is still moving today!

6. How Continental Drift turned into the Theory of Plate Tectonics  Technology development in the 1950s and 1960s led to a better understanding of what happens under the crust  Even more evidence found! Rare rocks seem to match up in South America and Africa.  Magnetic evidence to support his theory.

7. Evidences we accept for Plate Tectonic Theory:  Plant and Animal fossils  Shape of continents  Rock formations  Seafloor spreading (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

8. Assignment: Newspaper Article It is 1918 and you work for a newspaper. Your job: write one paragraph about Alfred Wegener and his new theory he discovered. Write your rough draft first & get it approved by the editors in chief (myself or Ms. Carpenter). We will be typing them in the computer lab on Friday, August 30!