continentaldrifttheory-200429120606 (2).pptx

https://vimeo.com/1425892

Continents Drifting idea…
◾ Abraham Ortelius, a Brabantian
cartographer and geographer and
known as the creator of the first
modern atlas (Theatrum Orbis
Terrarum or Theatre of the World).
◾Ortelius was the first to
underline the geometrical
similarity between the
coasts of America and
Europe-Africa and to
propose continental drift as
an explanation.

◾It refers to the movement of
the Earth’s continents relative
to each other, appearing to
“drift” across the ocean bed.
◾ This theory is publish in the book, “Origin of
Continents and Oceans” by Alfred
Wegener
Continental Drift Theory

◾It was fully developed by
Alfred Wegener (1880-1830),
a German meteorologist.
◾According to Wegener,
the continents were
once joined together in a
one large landmass
called “supercontinent”
or “Pangaea”

◾The Pangaea break-up led to an increase in
seaways and shorelines, which may have been
affected the diversification of terrestrial
plants and animals by creating several
isolated continental regions.
◾During the final drifting of Pangaea, rapid
seafloor spreading caused a tremendous
released of carbon dioxide gas. Which led to
dramatic global warming that culminated about
92 million years ago.

A. Topographic Evidence
B. Fossil Correlation
C. Rock Formation
D. Paleoclimatic Evidence
Wegener’s Evidence

◾Wegener noticed that the continents
seemed to fit together.
◾The “good fit” suggested that just like
neighboring pieces of a jigsaw puzzle,
the continents were once connected in
a single supercontinent.
◾He pieced together the map of Africa
and South America.
Wegener’s
Evidence:
Topographic
Evidence

◾Fossils are traces and remains of
organism that lived in pre-historic times.
Wegener’s
Evidence:
Fossil
Correlation
◾One of
Wegener’s
example is the
remains of
Mesosaurus.

◾ Before Pangea broke
apart, similar layers of
rocks were formed in
Antarctica, Australia,
South America, Africa
and India. Glossopteris
fossils were found in the
rocks on each continent.
Wegener’s Evidence:
Fossil Correlation

◾Rocks and fossils in
the continents located
in the southern
hemisphere exhibit
identical pattern
known as “Gondwana
Sequence”.
◾These rocks were of
the same age and
type.
Wegener’s
Evidence:
Rock
Formation

◾US
Appalachian
Mountains
are similar to
Greenland
and Europe
Wegener’s
Evidence:
Rock
Formation

◾ Wegener considered
as evidence the
glacial till deposits in
the northern and
southern latitudes.
◾ It was said that the
Earth’s climate has
not changed, instead
the positions of the
continents have
changed.
Paleoclimatic Evidence

◾The discovery of
fossils from
tropical plants
in the form of
COAL DEPOSITS
in Antarctica.
◾Possibly, Antarctica
used to be close
to the equator
where the
climate is warmer.

◾ Glacial till & striations found in deserts

Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

So, 🖂
hat’s
🖂
rong i
t
h
🖂
Most geologist did not believe
Wegener
.

Wegener’s theory is rejected by
some because…
 Wegener’s theory of continental drift was just
too weak for most geologists to accept. Even
though he believed the supercontinent that
broke up into different continents moved, he
did not have a clear explanation to how the
continents moved.
 Some of Wegener’s explanation clashed with ideas
that were widely accepted in the
science communities. He used similar fossils from
different continents to back up his theory of
continental drift. However, at that time, many
scientists that had observed similarities in
fossils in places like South America and Africa
believed there were similar fossils in
different continents because of a land

CONTINENT
AL DRIFT THEOR
Y
Imagine that you were with Alfred
Wegener to defend his Continental
Drift Theory. Help him answer the
following questions from the skeptic
scientists.
 How do continents drift from each
other?
 What causes them to drift apart?

◾ That Alfred Wegener’s original name for his proposed, ancient
continent was “Urkontinent”—ur meaning “first or original,”
and kontinent meaning “continent” in Wegener’s native
language, German. A more popular name for this huge ancient
landmass is Pangaea, which means “all lands” in Greek.
◾ That despite all these incredible evidences for
continental drift, Wegener was not able to see
his theory gain acceptance. He died in 1930
at the age of 50 from a probable heart failure
while on a scientific expedition in Greenland.
It was only in 1950s were new evidences
emerged to support his theory and develop a
new one.

Visit the following websites:
• https://www.slideshare.net/AbbieMahinay
• https://www.slideserve.com/devon/chapter-8-plate-tectonics
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq9kLzm36h0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQywDr-btz4

continentaldrifttheory-200429120606 (2).pptx

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