Wegener observed that the continents appeared to fit together like puzzle pieces. He developed the theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents slowly moved across Earth's surface over long periods of time. Wegener provided evidence from fossils, climate, earthquake locations, ocean ridges, and mountain ranges to support his theory. Later, the theory of plate tectonics was developed, explaining that continental drift occurs because Earth's crust is divided into plates that can move.

1. Thinking Map—Earth’s
Tectonic Plates
GLUE WORKSHEET ONTO 15R
15R

2. Wegner’s Observations and Theory

3. Wegner’s Observations and Theory
Wegner’s Observation
The continents looked like puzzle pieces
that could fit together. Maybe long time
ago, these land masses were all one
continent…

4. Wegner’s Observations and Theory
Theory of Continental Drift
An explanation that states continents
moved slowly across Earth’s surface over
long periods of time.

5. Try arranging pieces to how the
world is now:

6. Arrange what Pangea looked like:

7. Wegner’s Observations and Theory
Evidences
1. Fossils and Climate
2. Earthquake Locations
3. Midocean Ridges
4. Mountain Ranges and Glaciers

8. Wegner’s Observations and Theory
Theory of Plate Tectonics
Explanation for continental drift Earth’s
crust divided into “plates” that can
move