This lesson plan teaches students about continental drift and how scientists developed the theory. Students map the locations of fossils found on different continents to see if the fossil evidence supports the idea that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent. Students cut out shapes of continents and try arranging them as the supercontinent Gondwanaland. They are assessed on their ability to complete the mapping and reconstruction activities, as well as participate in a discussion about the evidence.
Rigid Earth Theory. Plasticity. Isostacy. Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift. Wegener's lines of evidence. Harry Hess and more evidence. Power source = convection currents in the mantle. Theory of Plate Tectonics. Plate boundaries: Divergent (spreading centers), Convergent (subduction zones), Lateral (transform faults). Three types of subduction zones. Hot spots. Accreted Terranes. Cratons. Continental Shields. Topography. (maps for lab)
Plate Tectonic is a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly over the underlying mantle.
This document provides instructions for an activity where students will piece together the supercontinent Pangea based on fossil and rock evidence from present-day continents. Students will color code continents according to a legend matching fossil and mountain types. They will then cut out the continents and rearrange them to reconstruct Pangea, guided by the fossil and mountain evidence. Finally, students will glue the rearranged continents onto a map and answer questions about continental drift and the fit of continents in the supercontinent configuration.
This document summarizes Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart. Wegener noticed that the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. He gathered evidence from matching landforms, identical fossil distributions, and past climate patterns on separated continents to support his hypothesis of continental movement. While his theory was initially rejected due to lacking an explanation for the driving mechanism of drift, Wegener's extensive evidence helped revive consideration of plate tectonics and continental drift.
Alfred Wegener first proposed his theory of continental drift in 1910. He noticed that the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. Wegener also presented three lines of evidence to support his theory: landforms on different continents matched up, matching plant and animal fossils were found on separated continents, and patterns of past climates did not match the continents' current positions. However, Wegener's theory was initially rejected because he could not explain how or why the continents would move. Wegener believed that evidence from all earth sciences was needed to understand the planet's past configurations and that new discoveries could alter conclusions.
This document provides an overview of the internal structure of the Earth. It describes the three main layers - crust, mantle, and core. The crust is the outermost layer and is divided into continental and oceanic crust. Beneath the crust is the mantle, which makes up most of the Earth's volume. The core is at the center and has a solid inner core and liquid outer core. Seismic waves and magnetic reversals provide evidence about the composition and movement of materials in the Earth's interior.
Rigid Earth Theory. Plasticity. Isostacy. Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift. Wegener's lines of evidence. Harry Hess and more evidence. Power source = convection currents in the mantle. Theory of Plate Tectonics. Plate boundaries: Divergent (spreading centers), Convergent (subduction zones), Lateral (transform faults). Three types of subduction zones. Hot spots. Accreted Terranes. Cratons. Continental Shields. Topography. (maps for lab)
Plate Tectonic is a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly over the underlying mantle.
This document provides instructions for an activity where students will piece together the supercontinent Pangea based on fossil and rock evidence from present-day continents. Students will color code continents according to a legend matching fossil and mountain types. They will then cut out the continents and rearrange them to reconstruct Pangea, guided by the fossil and mountain evidence. Finally, students will glue the rearranged continents onto a map and answer questions about continental drift and the fit of continents in the supercontinent configuration.
This document summarizes Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart. Wegener noticed that the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. He gathered evidence from matching landforms, identical fossil distributions, and past climate patterns on separated continents to support his hypothesis of continental movement. While his theory was initially rejected due to lacking an explanation for the driving mechanism of drift, Wegener's extensive evidence helped revive consideration of plate tectonics and continental drift.
Alfred Wegener first proposed his theory of continental drift in 1910. He noticed that the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. Wegener also presented three lines of evidence to support his theory: landforms on different continents matched up, matching plant and animal fossils were found on separated continents, and patterns of past climates did not match the continents' current positions. However, Wegener's theory was initially rejected because he could not explain how or why the continents would move. Wegener believed that evidence from all earth sciences was needed to understand the planet's past configurations and that new discoveries could alter conclusions.
This document provides an overview of the internal structure of the Earth. It describes the three main layers - crust, mantle, and core. The crust is the outermost layer and is divided into continental and oceanic crust. Beneath the crust is the mantle, which makes up most of the Earth's volume. The core is at the center and has a solid inner core and liquid outer core. Seismic waves and magnetic reversals provide evidence about the composition and movement of materials in the Earth's interior.
Mechanism of Plate Tectonics and Resultant LandformsMithun Ray
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean movements. The theory transformed the earth sciences by explaining many phenomena, including mountain building events, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from 1912. It explains that Wegener noticed that fossils found in South America were identical to those found in Africa and proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangea. The theory described the continents gradually drifting apart over millions of years due to plate tectonics.
1. CONTINENTAL DRIFT
“Father” of this theory is Alfred Wegener.
2. The Theory of Continental Drift
Proposed by Alfred Wegener (1912):-
A large super-continent PANGEA split into smaller fragments about 200-300 million years ago. These then drifted apart to form the present arrangement of continents.
Most geologists were highly skeptical and the idea was NOT widely accepted.
3. This is what Wegener thought Pangea looked like 200-300 million years ago.
4. EVIDENCE OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Wegener provided four main pieces of evidence to support his theory that the continents had been drifting over time.
5. 1. JIGSAW PUZZLE
Wegener noticed that if we could move present day continents around, several continents look like they would fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
6. 2. FOSSILS
Wegener also found fossils of the same plants and animals on different continents now separated by vast oceans. They could only be found this way if the continents had once been joined together.
7. 3. ROCK SEQUENCE
Wegener also found that mountain ranges have a similar sequence of type of rock and age on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting they were once part of the same mountain range.
8. 4. GLACIAL SCARS
Wegener found evidence of glacial scars left behind by giant ice sheets from the same time period in Southern Africa, India, Australia and South America.
The white areas were covered by ice and tundra about 300 million years ago (arrows show the direction of ice movement).
the continents were once part of a single larger continent that then split apart, drifting to their present positions over the last 300 million years.
9. WHAT COULD MOVE THE CONTINENTS?
Unfortunately for Wegener, he could not explain what force was powerful enough to move entire continents around the planet.
For reasons was he can't explain
Alfred Wegener died on expedition in Greenland in 1930 still searching for answers to the question of what force could be responsible for the movement of the continents.
10. Reason for Support Continental Drift?
Fit of continents
Apparent discrepancy in inferred latitudes of ancient rocks
Rocks of same age and similar characteristics on different continents
Distribution of similar plants and animals on different continents
11. WEGENERS CONCLUSIONS:
The continents have drifted over the past 300 million
years to their present positions!
(not a very popular idea at the time!!!)
Christian Heinrich Pander first described conodonts in 1859, originally thinking they were small fish teeth. Later hypotheses suggested they came from various worm, mollusk, and arthropod groups. By the 1970s, the prevailing hypotheses were that conodonts were related to polychaete worms or chordates. The study examines Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous conodonts from deepwater deposits in the Komi Science Center region. Fieldwork was conducted to collect samples, which were then studied using microscopes. A variety of conodont genera including Polygnathus, Palmatolepis, and Pseudopolygnathus were identified. The objectives were to analyze the conodont fauna, establish a z
The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from the early 1900s. Wegener found evidence that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass, called Pangaea, before drifting apart to their current locations. He provided several lines of evidence including matching fossil records, mountain ranges, and glacial deposits found on different continents. While controversial at the time, his theory of continental drift is now supported by modern plate tectonics.
The document summarizes key concepts about plate tectonics from a textbook chapter. It discusses:
1) Evidence that initially supported continental drift theory including matching continents, fossil matches, and rock structures.
2) The development of the plate tectonics theory to explain continental movement, with rigid plates that move over Earth's mantle.
3) The three main types of plate boundaries - divergent where plates move apart, convergent where they move together, and transform where they grind past each other.
The Earth is an unusual planet by having bimodal topography that reflects the two distinct types of crust.
Crust is outer part of the Earth and compositionally is consist tow types, continental and oceanic crust.
The oceanic crust is thin (~ 7 km ), and composed from denser rocks such as basalt , younger.
Whereas the continental crust is thick (~ 40 Km), and composed of highly diverse lithologies, and contains the oldest rocks.
Continental drift theory proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. Wegener provided evidence like matching fossil and rock formations across continents, but his theory was rejected due to lacking an explanation for how the continents moved. Later studies of the seafloor using sonar revealed mid-ocean ridges where new crust was formed, explaining continental drift through the process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. Earthquake data showed seismic activity occurs at plate boundaries, confirming the Earth's surface is composed of shifting tectonic plates.
The document discusses evidence that supports the continental drift theory proposed by Alfred Wegener. It describes an activity where students reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea by fitting together continent landmass cutouts. The activity aims to showcase two key evidence: 1) the apparent fit of continents and 2) fossil correlations found across different continents. It also discusses two additional evidence put forth by Wegener: 3) past climate data like glacial striations found in present-day equatorial regions, and 4) correlations between mountain ranges and rock formations between separated continents.
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth's mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere.
Rocks and fossils can provide information about geological events and changing life forms in the past. The principles of original horizontality and superposition allow scientists to determine the relative order and age of rock layers, though not precise dates. Absolute dating methods like radiocarbon dating measure radioactive decay to determine the specific ages of rocks and fossils.
WHAT IS A PLATE? MAJOR PLATES. Types of Earth’s Crust. Plate BoundaryUday Kumar Shil
The document discusses plate tectonics and the key concepts of plate tectonic theory. It describes how the lithosphere is broken into large plates that move over Earth's surface, driven by convection currents in the underlying mantle. It outlines the three main types of plate boundaries - divergent boundaries where new crust forms, transform boundaries where plates slide past each other, and convergent boundaries where plates collide and one slides under the other. It also discusses the evidence that supported the development of plate tectonic theory, such as seafloor spreading and magnetic reversals recorded in oceanic crust.
1) Seismic studies reveal that the Earth is composed of layers with different chemical compositions and physical properties, including a solid inner core, liquid outer core, soft asthenosphere, and rigid lithosphere.
2) Evidence from seafloor spreading and magnetic stripes on the ocean floor support the theory of plate tectonics, where new ocean crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward as the plates move.
3) Paleomagnetic data from rocks show alternating magnetic polarities on either side of ridges, supporting the hypothesis that new crust forms at ridges and cools over time, recording reversals in Earth's magnetic field to reveal the history of plate movements.
1) The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from 1912, which proposed that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea before slowly drifting apart.
2) While Wegener's theory was controversial at the time due to a lack of evidence, it was later proven correct with the discovery of plate tectonics.
3) There is geological evidence that supports the continental drift theory, including matching fossil records, rock formations, mountain ranges, and glacial deposits found across continents.
The document discusses methods for dating geological materials and events. Relative dating methods, like the law of superposition and index fossils, are used to determine the sequence of events but not calculate specific ages. Absolute dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating, are used to determine specific numerical ages by measuring radioactive decay. Radiocarbon dating works by comparing the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in once-living materials, as carbon-14 decays at a known rate. Together, relative and absolute dating methods provide information about the timing of geological events and processes.
The document discusses plate tectonics and describes how the Earth's lithosphere is broken into plates that move over time. It explains that plate tectonics built upon Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. There are nine major tectonic plates and three types of plate boundaries - divergent boundaries which create mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys, convergent boundaries which cause subduction and mountain building, and transform boundaries where plates slide past each other like the San Andreas Fault. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle provide the driving force for plate movements.
The document summarizes the theory of plate tectonics. It explains that the Earth's crust is broken into plates that move due to convection currents in the mantle. There are three types of plate boundaries - divergent where plates move apart and new crust is formed, convergent where plates collide and one slides under the other, and transform where plates slide past each other. The constant movement of plates is what creates geological features like mountains and ocean trenches.
The nebular theory proposes that the solar system formed from a large cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula. Originally put forward by Immanuel Kant in 1775, it was later expanded on by Pierre-Simon Laplace. The theory suggests that the solar nebula collapsed under gravity and began rotating, flattening into a disk. Matter in the center condensed to form the Sun while the outer edges cooled to form planets. Modern astronomers generally accept a modified theory known as the condensation theory, which incorporates the role of dust in cooling the nebula and providing nuclei for matter to accumulate and form protoplanets.
Continental drift is the theory that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea before slowly drifting apart. Alfred Wegener first proposed this theory in 1912 based on matching coastline shapes, fossil evidence, and rock formations found on separated continents. The document discusses key terms like plate tectonics and Pangaea. It provides examples of fossil and geological evidence that support continental drift, such as the seed fossil Glossopteris being found across Africa, South America, India and Antarctica. The theory was controversial for decades but gained widespread acceptance when plate tectonics was developed in the 1960s to explain continental movement.
This lesson plan is for a 60-minute Grade 10 Science class on evidence for continental drift. The objectives are for students to describe how the continents drifted apart and fit together, draw fossils found in different continents as evidence, reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea, and predict future continental movement. Activities include singing a song about continental drift, discussing fossil evidence found across continents, and doing an activity where students draw the continents fitting together in Pangaea. The lesson concludes with a role playing evaluation and assignment to bring materials for the next class.
Mechanism of Plate Tectonics and Resultant LandformsMithun Ray
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean movements. The theory transformed the earth sciences by explaining many phenomena, including mountain building events, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from 1912. It explains that Wegener noticed that fossils found in South America were identical to those found in Africa and proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangea. The theory described the continents gradually drifting apart over millions of years due to plate tectonics.
1. CONTINENTAL DRIFT
“Father” of this theory is Alfred Wegener.
2. The Theory of Continental Drift
Proposed by Alfred Wegener (1912):-
A large super-continent PANGEA split into smaller fragments about 200-300 million years ago. These then drifted apart to form the present arrangement of continents.
Most geologists were highly skeptical and the idea was NOT widely accepted.
3. This is what Wegener thought Pangea looked like 200-300 million years ago.
4. EVIDENCE OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Wegener provided four main pieces of evidence to support his theory that the continents had been drifting over time.
5. 1. JIGSAW PUZZLE
Wegener noticed that if we could move present day continents around, several continents look like they would fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
6. 2. FOSSILS
Wegener also found fossils of the same plants and animals on different continents now separated by vast oceans. They could only be found this way if the continents had once been joined together.
7. 3. ROCK SEQUENCE
Wegener also found that mountain ranges have a similar sequence of type of rock and age on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting they were once part of the same mountain range.
8. 4. GLACIAL SCARS
Wegener found evidence of glacial scars left behind by giant ice sheets from the same time period in Southern Africa, India, Australia and South America.
The white areas were covered by ice and tundra about 300 million years ago (arrows show the direction of ice movement).
the continents were once part of a single larger continent that then split apart, drifting to their present positions over the last 300 million years.
9. WHAT COULD MOVE THE CONTINENTS?
Unfortunately for Wegener, he could not explain what force was powerful enough to move entire continents around the planet.
For reasons was he can't explain
Alfred Wegener died on expedition in Greenland in 1930 still searching for answers to the question of what force could be responsible for the movement of the continents.
10. Reason for Support Continental Drift?
Fit of continents
Apparent discrepancy in inferred latitudes of ancient rocks
Rocks of same age and similar characteristics on different continents
Distribution of similar plants and animals on different continents
11. WEGENERS CONCLUSIONS:
The continents have drifted over the past 300 million
years to their present positions!
(not a very popular idea at the time!!!)
Christian Heinrich Pander first described conodonts in 1859, originally thinking they were small fish teeth. Later hypotheses suggested they came from various worm, mollusk, and arthropod groups. By the 1970s, the prevailing hypotheses were that conodonts were related to polychaete worms or chordates. The study examines Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous conodonts from deepwater deposits in the Komi Science Center region. Fieldwork was conducted to collect samples, which were then studied using microscopes. A variety of conodont genera including Polygnathus, Palmatolepis, and Pseudopolygnathus were identified. The objectives were to analyze the conodont fauna, establish a z
The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from the early 1900s. Wegener found evidence that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass, called Pangaea, before drifting apart to their current locations. He provided several lines of evidence including matching fossil records, mountain ranges, and glacial deposits found on different continents. While controversial at the time, his theory of continental drift is now supported by modern plate tectonics.
The document summarizes key concepts about plate tectonics from a textbook chapter. It discusses:
1) Evidence that initially supported continental drift theory including matching continents, fossil matches, and rock structures.
2) The development of the plate tectonics theory to explain continental movement, with rigid plates that move over Earth's mantle.
3) The three main types of plate boundaries - divergent where plates move apart, convergent where they move together, and transform where they grind past each other.
The Earth is an unusual planet by having bimodal topography that reflects the two distinct types of crust.
Crust is outer part of the Earth and compositionally is consist tow types, continental and oceanic crust.
The oceanic crust is thin (~ 7 km ), and composed from denser rocks such as basalt , younger.
Whereas the continental crust is thick (~ 40 Km), and composed of highly diverse lithologies, and contains the oldest rocks.
Continental drift theory proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. Wegener provided evidence like matching fossil and rock formations across continents, but his theory was rejected due to lacking an explanation for how the continents moved. Later studies of the seafloor using sonar revealed mid-ocean ridges where new crust was formed, explaining continental drift through the process of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. Earthquake data showed seismic activity occurs at plate boundaries, confirming the Earth's surface is composed of shifting tectonic plates.
The document discusses evidence that supports the continental drift theory proposed by Alfred Wegener. It describes an activity where students reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea by fitting together continent landmass cutouts. The activity aims to showcase two key evidence: 1) the apparent fit of continents and 2) fossil correlations found across different continents. It also discusses two additional evidence put forth by Wegener: 3) past climate data like glacial striations found in present-day equatorial regions, and 4) correlations between mountain ranges and rock formations between separated continents.
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth's mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere.
Rocks and fossils can provide information about geological events and changing life forms in the past. The principles of original horizontality and superposition allow scientists to determine the relative order and age of rock layers, though not precise dates. Absolute dating methods like radiocarbon dating measure radioactive decay to determine the specific ages of rocks and fossils.
WHAT IS A PLATE? MAJOR PLATES. Types of Earth’s Crust. Plate BoundaryUday Kumar Shil
The document discusses plate tectonics and the key concepts of plate tectonic theory. It describes how the lithosphere is broken into large plates that move over Earth's surface, driven by convection currents in the underlying mantle. It outlines the three main types of plate boundaries - divergent boundaries where new crust forms, transform boundaries where plates slide past each other, and convergent boundaries where plates collide and one slides under the other. It also discusses the evidence that supported the development of plate tectonic theory, such as seafloor spreading and magnetic reversals recorded in oceanic crust.
1) Seismic studies reveal that the Earth is composed of layers with different chemical compositions and physical properties, including a solid inner core, liquid outer core, soft asthenosphere, and rigid lithosphere.
2) Evidence from seafloor spreading and magnetic stripes on the ocean floor support the theory of plate tectonics, where new ocean crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward as the plates move.
3) Paleomagnetic data from rocks show alternating magnetic polarities on either side of ridges, supporting the hypothesis that new crust forms at ridges and cools over time, recording reversals in Earth's magnetic field to reveal the history of plate movements.
1) The document discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift from 1912, which proposed that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea before slowly drifting apart.
2) While Wegener's theory was controversial at the time due to a lack of evidence, it was later proven correct with the discovery of plate tectonics.
3) There is geological evidence that supports the continental drift theory, including matching fossil records, rock formations, mountain ranges, and glacial deposits found across continents.
The document discusses methods for dating geological materials and events. Relative dating methods, like the law of superposition and index fossils, are used to determine the sequence of events but not calculate specific ages. Absolute dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating, are used to determine specific numerical ages by measuring radioactive decay. Radiocarbon dating works by comparing the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in once-living materials, as carbon-14 decays at a known rate. Together, relative and absolute dating methods provide information about the timing of geological events and processes.
The document discusses plate tectonics and describes how the Earth's lithosphere is broken into plates that move over time. It explains that plate tectonics built upon Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. There are nine major tectonic plates and three types of plate boundaries - divergent boundaries which create mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys, convergent boundaries which cause subduction and mountain building, and transform boundaries where plates slide past each other like the San Andreas Fault. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle provide the driving force for plate movements.
The document summarizes the theory of plate tectonics. It explains that the Earth's crust is broken into plates that move due to convection currents in the mantle. There are three types of plate boundaries - divergent where plates move apart and new crust is formed, convergent where plates collide and one slides under the other, and transform where plates slide past each other. The constant movement of plates is what creates geological features like mountains and ocean trenches.
The nebular theory proposes that the solar system formed from a large cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula. Originally put forward by Immanuel Kant in 1775, it was later expanded on by Pierre-Simon Laplace. The theory suggests that the solar nebula collapsed under gravity and began rotating, flattening into a disk. Matter in the center condensed to form the Sun while the outer edges cooled to form planets. Modern astronomers generally accept a modified theory known as the condensation theory, which incorporates the role of dust in cooling the nebula and providing nuclei for matter to accumulate and form protoplanets.
Continental drift is the theory that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea before slowly drifting apart. Alfred Wegener first proposed this theory in 1912 based on matching coastline shapes, fossil evidence, and rock formations found on separated continents. The document discusses key terms like plate tectonics and Pangaea. It provides examples of fossil and geological evidence that support continental drift, such as the seed fossil Glossopteris being found across Africa, South America, India and Antarctica. The theory was controversial for decades but gained widespread acceptance when plate tectonics was developed in the 1960s to explain continental movement.
This lesson plan is for a 60-minute Grade 10 Science class on evidence for continental drift. The objectives are for students to describe how the continents drifted apart and fit together, draw fossils found in different continents as evidence, reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea, and predict future continental movement. Activities include singing a song about continental drift, discussing fossil evidence found across continents, and doing an activity where students draw the continents fitting together in Pangaea. The lesson concludes with a role playing evaluation and assignment to bring materials for the next class.
1) Continental drift is the theory that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea before slowly drifting apart over hundreds of millions of years.
2) German scientist Alfred Wegener first proposed this theory in 1912, noticing that the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces and that matching fossil and rock formations were found on separated continents.
3) Evidence supporting continental drift includes the matching shapes of continental shelves, the existence of the same fossil species on different continents, identical rock formations in mountain ranges now separated by oceans, and signs that regions which are now polar were once tropical.
The document summarizes theories about what caused the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. The two leading hypotheses are that it was caused by an asteroid impact (the Alvarez hypothesis) or massive volcanic eruptions in India known as the Deccan Traps. Recent evidence has strengthened the asteroid impact theory, finding evidence of an impact crater in the Gulf of Mexico and material from the impact throughout the layers from that time period. However, some scientists argue volcanic activity may have also contributed by weakening ecosystems before the impact. More research is still needed to determine the precise timing and roles of both the asteroid impact and volcanic eruptions.
The Continental Drift Theory In 1596, Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598), a Flemish cartographer, observed that the shapes of the continents seem to fit together. With the absence of valid measurements and proofs, the only speculation Ortelius could provide was that earthquakes and flooding may have made the separation possible.
Scientists found tropical plant fossils like coconut fossils in Antarctica, where the climate is now very cold. This provided evidence that the continents have moved over time, as the same types of fossils are only found in tropical areas currently. Therefore, the continents could not have always been in their current positions.
1. This lesson plan provides activities to teach students about the composition and structure of the Earth.
2. Students will conduct research to label a diagram of the Earth's layers and learn about their relative thickness, temperature, and density.
3. Activities include making a mobile model of the Earth's layers and using an egg to demonstrate plate tectonics and earthquakes. Students will also graph the thickness of layers and research the supercontinent Pangaea.
This document provides an introduction to astronomy, including its history and key tools and skills. It discusses how astronomy began over 5,000 years ago as people made observations of celestial objects and patterns. Early astronomy was intertwined with astrology and the study of celestial objects was used to make predictions. The development of writing, mapping, mathematics and the scientific method advanced astronomy into a more empirical discipline. Modern astronomy relies heavily on technology and computer modeling to make discoveries, such as finding hundreds of exoplanets orbiting other stars. The key skills of astronomy include careful observation, recording data, mapping the sky, using mathematics, and applying the scientific method of hypothesis testing to better understand the universe.
Alfred Wegener traveled through time to collect evidence to prove his theory of continental drift. He discovered that plate tectonics caused the continents to drift apart. Wegener found six key pieces of evidence to support continental drift: 1) the coastlines of continents fit together like puzzle pieces, 2) matching rock sequences and ages across continents, 3) matching diamond patterns across oceans, 4) mountain ranges torn apart by continental movement, 5) matching past glacier patterns, and 6) matching fossil distributions across continents. Wegener concluded that billions of years ago the continents were joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea, which later broke apart due to plate tectonics.
The document provides information about the author Tishani Doshi and summarizes her journey to Antarctica. It discusses how Antarctica can be studied to learn about the Earth's past when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass. It also touches on the impact of climate change and humanity's responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. The summary highlights key lessons about geology, climate change, and the importance of safeguarding the planet.
PPT Science10_Lesson 8_Evidences that Support Plate Movements FINALupdated.pptxSibolAhji
The document discusses evidence that supports the theory of continental drift, which states that the continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart. It outlines several key pieces of evidence, including: the matching coastline shapes of Africa and South America, matching fossil finds in these continents, matching rock formations, and glacial deposits found in currently non-glaciated areas. The document also discusses how the theory of plate tectonics and evidence of seafloor spreading provided the mechanism to explain continental drift.
PPT Science10_Lesson 8_Evidences that Support Plate Movements FINAL.pptxSibolAhji
The document discusses evidence that supports the continental drift theory. It describes how the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea before drifting apart. Key lines of evidence include fossil matches between continents, matching coastline shapes, identical rock formations, glacial deposits found in incompatible climates, and magnetic striping in ocean floors that indicates plate movement. The theory was initially rejected but was later proven correct by the discovery of seafloor spreading.
Mining Matters Core Concepts are standalone classroom ready activities that reflect key foundational ideas in Earth science. Sourced from our archives of curriculum-linked teacher resources, each activity reflects an integral part of many important concepts and theories in the various disciplines that comprise the Geosciences.
In an effort to be of service to all of our teacher-partners, these activities have been assembled as a way to support individual teachers without the need to attend a pre-requisite teacher training workshop. All the contents of the Core Concepts resource support current teaching practices that values hands-on experience where students take an active role in learning. Any rocks and minerals samples as well as print resources required for successful classroom delivery can be sourced through Mining Matters.
Alfred Wegener first developed the continental drift hypothesis in the early 20th century. He proposed that the continents were once joined together as a single supercontinent before drifting apart to their current locations. Evidence for continental drift includes matching rock formations and mountain ranges on separate continents, as well as fossils of the same extinct species found in rocks of the same age across continents. Ancient climate zones, such as glacial grooves and deposits now near the equator, also support the idea that continents have moved over time.
Alfred Wegener first developed the continental drift hypothesis in the early 20th century. He proposed that the continents were once joined together as a single supercontinent before drifting apart to their current locations. Evidence for continental drift includes matching rock formations and mountain ranges on separate continents, as well as fossils of the same extinct species found in rocks of the same age across continents. Ancient climate zones, such as glacial grooves and deposits now near the equator, also support the idea that continents have moved over time.
1. The document describes a lesson about the book "Journey to the End of the Earth" by Tishani Doshi, which details the author's journey to Antarctica.
2. It discusses how Antarctica was once part of the supercontinent Gondwana 650 million years ago before separating, and how studying Antarctica helps understand the Earth's past, present and future climate and environment.
3. It also summarizes the "Students on Ice" program that aims to educate students on the impacts of climate change by taking them to places like Antarctica.
1. The continental drift theory proposed that continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea, but have since drifted apart.
2. The theory was developed by Alfred Wegener in the early 1900s.
3. Wegener provided several lines of evidence to support the theory, including matching fossil distributions, mountain ranges, and coastlines across continents, as well as evidence that glaciers once extended to the equator.
The document summarizes plate tectonics theory, which proposes that the Earth's outer layer is divided into plates that constantly move over Earth's mantle. There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent boundaries where plates move apart and new crust is formed, convergent boundaries where plates collide with one subducting under the other, and transform boundaries where plates slide horizontally past one another. Evidence for plate tectonics includes matching fossil and rock formations between continents now separated by oceans, as well as variations in ancient climates that can be explained by past continental configurations.
Alfred Wegener first proposed the theory of continental drift, which suggested that the continents were once joined together in a super continent called Pangaea before drifting apart to their current locations. Wegener's theory was initially rejected because he could not explain the driving force behind continental movement. Evidence that later emerged in support of continental drift includes: matching fossil and rock formations between continents, matching climate zones in pole and equatorial regions, and magnetic pole reversal patterns in ocean floor sediments. This evidence helped prove that continents have shifted positions over time.
1. The document discusses intellectual revolutions that shaped society, focusing on the ideas of Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud and how they sparked scientific revolutions.
2. It also analyzes how revolutions occurred in different parts of the world, such as Latin America, East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
3. The key intellectuals discussed were Copernicus, whose model placed the sun at the center of the universe; Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution; and Freud, who developed the method of psychoanalysis to study the human mind.
The document shows the distance traveled by 3 students over a period of 10 seconds. Student 3 traveled the farthest distance of 40 units, indicating they won the race. Student 3 exhibited a constant speed of 4 units per second, while Student 1 had the slowest average speed of 1 unit per second and Student 2 the fastest average speed of 2 units per second.
Sasha, Kim, and Barry participated in a 10-km bicycle race that was tracked using a time-distance graph. The graph shows each cyclist's distance over time and will be used to determine each rider's total time and average speed to complete the race, identify who finished in each placing, and analyze their speeds over the course of the race.
Here are the steps I would take to get the two vehicles to meet at the center of the room at the same time when released from opposite sides:
1. My goal is to have the two vehicles meet at the center of the room at the same time.
2. To accomplish this, I need to determine the speed each vehicle needs to travel. I will collect distance and time data for test runs of each vehicle and create a graph to determine their speeds.
3. The distance from each starting point to the center and the time it takes each vehicle to travel that distance is vital data. With this information, I can calculate the speed of each vehicle and adjust their speeds so that they meet at the center at the same
Here are the steps I would take to get the two vehicles to meet at the center of the room at the same time when released from opposite sides:
1. My goal is to have the two vehicles meet at the center of the room at the same time.
2. To accomplish this, I need to determine the speed each vehicle needs to travel. I will collect distance and time data for test runs of each vehicle and graph it to determine the speed.
3. The data that is vital is the distance traveled over time for each vehicle. This will allow me to calculate the speed and determine the speeds needed for the vehicles to meet in the center.
4. I will then calculate the time needed for each vehicle
Here are the steps I would take to get the two vehicles to meet at the center of the room at the same time when released from opposite sides:
1. My goal is to have the two vehicles meet at the center of the room at the same time.
2. To accomplish this, I need to determine the speed each vehicle needs to travel. I will collect distance and time data for test runs of each vehicle and graph it to determine the speed.
3. The data that is vital is the distance traveled over time for each vehicle. This will allow me to calculate the speed and determine the speeds needed for the vehicles to meet in the center.
4. I will then calculate the time needed for each vehicle
Here are the steps I would take to get the two vehicles to meet at the center of the room at the same time when released from opposite sides:
1. My goal is to have the two vehicles meet at the center of the room at the same time.
2. To accomplish this, I need to determine the speed each vehicle needs to travel. I will collect distance and time data for test runs of each vehicle and create a graph to determine their speeds.
3. The distance from each starting point to the center and the time it takes each vehicle to travel that distance is vital data. With this information, I can calculate the speed of each vehicle and adjust their speeds so that they meet at the center at the same
This document provides instructions to analyze motion diagrams and describe the type of motion shown. Students are asked to observe motion diagrams showing objects moving over time intervals, highlight and label different types of motion shown, and create a single diagram demonstrating 4 different kinds of labeled motion using no more than 10 dots.
This document provides instructions to analyze motion diagrams and describe the type of motion shown. Students are asked to observe motion diagrams showing objects moving over time intervals, highlight and label different types of motion shown, and create a single diagram demonstrating 4 different kinds of labeled motion using no more than 10 dots.
This document provides instructions to analyze motion diagrams and describe the type of motion shown. Students are asked to observe motion diagrams showing objects moving over time intervals, highlight and label different types of motion shown, and create a single diagram demonstrating 4 different kinds of labeled motion using no more than 10 dots.
This document provides instructions to analyze motion diagrams and describe the type of motion shown. Students are asked to observe motion diagrams showing objects moving over time intervals, highlight and label different types of motion shown, and create a single diagram demonstrating 4 different kinds of labeled motion using no more than 10 dots.
This document provides instructions to analyze motion diagrams and describe the type of motion shown. Students are asked to observe motion diagrams showing objects moving over time intervals represented by circles. For diagrams showing multiple types of motion, students must highlight and label each different kind. Finally, students are asked to create a single diagram using 10 dots or less that combines all 4 types of motion, labeling each one.
A) From the man's perspective, the box would appear stationary as he holds it on his lap on the moving bus.
B) From the fly's perspective sitting on the box, the box would appear to move smoothly along with the vibrations of the bus.
C) From the bus driver's perspective, the box held by the passenger would appear to move back and forth within the bus as it drives along the road.
Mr. C conducted an experiment to determine how water temperature affects the survival rate of young yellow perch fish. He placed 50 fish in each of 4 tanks containing 25 gallons of water. The temperature between each tank was varied by 2 degrees. Mr. C also provided 5 grams of fish food every other day for 4 weeks. The dependent variable was the survival of yellow perch.
Mrs. Lori Welsh is starting her 18th year teaching science at Pleasant View Middle School and uses her blog, www.mrswelsh.blogspot.com, to communicate class activities and homework assignments. For homework, students are to log onto the blog, answer questions 1-6 on the "Room 121" page about what to expect in her class, summarize each answer in one sentence, and have a parent read and sign the assignment. The parent signature also indicates awareness of the teacher's blog and email contact information.
This document outlines an activity where students are assigned to scientific specialties and tectonic plates to analyze maps of plate boundary data and develop classification schemes. Students first work in specialty groups to identify boundary types based on their map data, then come together in plate groups to integrate all data types and create a combined classification system. Presentations and discussion allow the groups to compare their findings and place them within the accepted framework of plate boundary processes. The goal is for students to make observations, compare data sets, and develop their own understanding of plate tectonics.
1) Earthquakes regularly occur at plate boundaries in the oceans, such as at subduction zones where one tectonic plate slides under another.
2) Major earthquakes can generate destructive tsunamis by displacing large volumes of water very quickly. These tsunami waves travel across the ocean and grow in height as they reach shorelines.
3) Studying areas like the Nankai Trough off Japan, where great earthquakes repeatedly occur, can provide insights into why and how these quakes happen, and help determine zones that may rupture in future events.
The document describes a lab activity where students are assigned to scientific specialty groups focusing on seismology, volcanology, geography, or geochronology. Using map data related to their specialty, students observe patterns to infer locations of possible plate boundaries on a world map. They then classify the inferred boundaries into types based on characteristics. Later, students from each specialty discuss their interpretations and reconcile differences to create a consensus map. Finally, they learn about currently recognized plate boundary types from an instructor presentation and formally classify boundaries on the map.
1) Earthquakes regularly occur at plate boundaries in the oceans, such as at subduction zones where one tectonic plate slides under another.
2) Major earthquakes can generate destructive tsunamis by displacing large volumes of water very quickly. These tsunami waves travel across the ocean and grow in height as they reach shorelines.
3) Studying areas like the Nankai Trough off Japan, where great earthquakes repeatedly occur, can provide insights into why and how these quakes happen, and help determine areas at risk for future seismic events.
The document describes a lab activity where students are assigned to scientific specialty groups focusing on seismology, volcanology, geography, or geochronology. Using map data related to their specialty, students observe patterns to infer locations of possible plate boundaries on a world map. They then classify the inferred boundaries into types based on characteristics. Later, students from each specialty discuss their interpretations and reconcile differences to create a consensus map. Finally, they learn about currently recognized plate boundary types from an instructor presentation and formally classify boundaries on the map.
Ivanti’s Patch Tuesday breakdown goes beyond patching your applications and brings you the intelligence and guidance needed to prioritize where to focus your attention first. Catch early analysis on our Ivanti blog, then join industry expert Chris Goettl for the Patch Tuesday Webinar Event. There we’ll do a deep dive into each of the bulletins and give guidance on the risks associated with the newly-identified vulnerabilities.
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Power Grid Model
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Continent shapes outline
1. Assignment Discovery Online Curriculum
Lesson title:
Continental Drift
Grade level:
6-8, with an adaptation for older students
Subject area:
Earth Science
Duration:
Two to three class periods
Objectives:
Students will
1. understand how Earth changed over a long period of time; and
2. understand how scientists developed a theory using fossil evidence.
Materials:
• Computers with Internet access (optional but very helpful)
• Reference materials, including an atlas
• Large sheets of paper
• Colored pencils
• Pencils or pens
• Scissors
• Clear adhesive tape
• Copies of Classroom Activity Sheet: Prehistoric Landmasses
• Copies of Take-Home Activity Sheet: What Gondwanaland May Have Looked Like
Procedures:
1. Begin the lesson by showing the class a standard physical map of the world. Tell
students to look closely at the continents. Ask if they think the continents always
looked as they do on the map, or if they have changed shape or location throughout
Earth's history. Write their ideas on a large sheet of paper or on the board.
2. Tell students that in early 1915, the German scientist Alfred Wegener developed a
theory that the continents once formed a giant supercontinent that he called Pangaea.
He speculated that Earth took this form about 245 million years ago, during the
Triassic period of the Mesozoic era. (The Mesozoic is the era in which dinosaurs
lived.) A few years after Wegener proposed his theory, South African geologist
Alexander Du Toit further theorized that Pangaea divided into two supercontinents
205 million years ago. Du Toit called the northern supercontinent Laurasia and the
southern one Gondwanaland.
1
2. 3. The scientists used many kinds of evidence to advance their theories. They found
similar fossil remains of plants and animals on different present-day continents. The
scientists hypothesized that the continents were once connected.
4. Tell students that they'll follow steps similar to those of Wegener and Du Toit to see
if fossil evidence supports the theory that one supercontinent divided into two. Hand
out copies of the Classroom Activity Sheet: Prehistoric Landmasses. Tell students
they will focus on Gondwanaland, the supercontinent that includes what is now South
America, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, Madagascar, and India..
5. Explain that students will map the locations of four different fossils:
• Glossopteris: a fern found on the southern continents
• Cynognathus: a land reptile found in South America and Africa
• Lystrosaurus: a land reptile found in Africa, Antarctica, and India
• Mesosaurus: a freshwater swimming reptile found in Africa and South America
Students should mark these locations on the sheet, using the map key code.
6. Next have students cut out the continent shapes and try to piece them together as
Gondwanaland. Ask them to think about how the different shapes fit together. For
homework, have students paste their finished version of Gondwanaland on the Take-
Home Activity Sheet: What Gondwanaland May Have Looked Like.
7. During the next class period, have students share their versions of Gondwanaland.
Are most constructions similar? Show students a picture of what scientists believe
Gondwanaland looked like. For a picture, visit the Web site at
http://www.hartrao.ac.za/goedesy/tectonics.html.
8. Discuss where the fossil remains have been found. Does this evidence support
Wegener and Du Toit's theory? Do students think it is sufficient evidence? What
other information would be helpful? Conclude by telling students that over the past
century, scientists have continued to find evidence supporting this theory.
Adaptation for older students:
Have students create Gondwanaland from the southern continents and discover that the
same fossil remains were found on many of these continents by following the steps in this
lesson. Have them read the following passage and write a paragraph about whether this
information further supports Wegener and Du Toit's theory:
Glaciers are huge masses of ice that move over the land. They leave behind
information about the direction of their movement in the rocks they once covered.
Rocks found in South America, Africa, India, and Australia all show evidence of
glaciers at the beginning of the Mesozoic era (about 248 million years ago). These
places must have been closer to the South Pole at one time.
2
3. Tell students that they must compare their map of Gondwanaland with a modern-day map
in order to make an informed opinion.
Discussion Questions:
1. What characteristics do you think enable a plant or animal to survive the breakup
of a continent? Try to think of at least two characteristics.
2. Scientists have found Mesosaurus fossils on the east coast of the southern tip of
South America and the west coast of South Africa. Even though we know this
animal could swim, does the presence of Mesosaurus fossil remains in two places
support Wegener and Du Toit's theory? Give evidence to support your ideas.
3. Do you think that the breakup of Pangaea into Gondwanaland and Laurasia
affected organisms originally living on Pangaea? Do you think that the breakup of
Gondwanaland into the southern continents affected the organisms living in
Gondwanaland? Give evidence to support your ideas.
4. Do you think the breakup of Pangaea during the Jurassic period led to the
extinction of some dinosaurs and the evolution of other dinosaurs?
5. Scientists have evidence that Glossopteris was found in what is now India,
Antarctica, Australia, and Madagascar. What does this tell you about
Glossopteris? What does it tell you about the climate and environment of
Gondwanaland?
6. Based on the geologic past, we can assume that Earth is always changing. What
modern-day evidence supports this idea? Hint: Think about natural disasters.
Where do they often occur?
Evaluation:
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
Three points: demonstrated exemplary performance and effort in marking the
landmasses, completing the chart, and constructing Gondwanaland; participated
actively in the final class discussion.
Two points: demonstrated average performance and effort in marking the
landmasses, completing the chart, and constructing Gondwanaland; participated
somewhat actively in the final class discussion.
One point: demonstrated unsatisfactory performance and effort in marking the
landmasses, completing the chart, and constructing Gondwanaland; did not
participate in the final class discussion.
3
4. Extensions:
Geologic Time Line
Have students develop a time line showing when scientists think that Pangaea broke up,
when Gondwanaland and Laurasia formed, and when Gondwanaland separated into the
continents as we know them today. The Web sites in the lesson plan will provide
information.
Theory of Plate Tectonics
The work of Wegener and Du Toit provided the foundation for the theory of plate
tectonics, which was developed in the 1960s. What other information came to light that
helped scientists develop this theory? Make a poster showing the progression of
discoveries and scientists who were involved. The Web sites in the lesson plan, as well as
earth science textbooks, have this information.
Suggested Reading:
Digging for Bird-Dinosaurs: An Expedition to Madagascar
Nic Bishop. Houghton Mifflin, 2000.
Follow paleontologist Cathy Forster on a expedition to Madagascar, an island off the
coast of Africa, where she is looking for more fossils that will link dinosaurs and birds.
She has previously discovered a new fossil, Rahonavis, that shows both characteristics of
dinosaurs and birds. Using lots of color photographs, this book offers a detailed look at
the intricate work involved in exploring the past.
Dance of the Continents
Roy A. Gallant. Benchmark Books, 2000.
Our earth has been in constant motion since it began. The continents have formed and
reformed as evidenced by the geologic and fossil record. Mr. Gallant explains in clear
and simple language how the continents have changed through what was first called
4
5. continental drift and now is known as plate tectonics. Maps, diagrams, and illustrations
round out this presentation.
Quest for African Dinosaurs: Ancient Roots of the Modern World
Louis Jacobs. Villard Books, 1993.
The author has done extensive excavating in Africa and writes of his work with detail and
lots of personal anecdotes. Occasional drawings punctuate the chapters, which range
from a description of the African terrain where dinosaurs flourished, to specific African
dinosaurs, to the search for early mammals. An extensive bibliography and index follow
the text.
Vocabulary
fossil
Definition: The remains of an animal or plant preserved from an earlier era inside a rock
or geological deposit, often as an impression or in a petrified state.
Context: Soft pieces of coal often contain plant fossils.
Mesozoic era
Definition: The era of geologic time that includes the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous
periods.
Context: The Mesozoic era is known as the Age of Dinosaurs because these animals
roamed the Earth during this span of time.
Pangaea
Definition: A supercontinent that existed during the Mesozoic era that included most of
Earth's present-day continents.
Context: Pangaea, meaning “all land,” was a term first used by the German scientist
Alfred Wegener.
plate tectonics
Definition: A theory that explains movements of continents and changes in Earth's crust
caused by internal forces within the planet.
Context: The process of plate tectonics is responsible for building mountains and
causing earthquakes.
Academic standards
Grade level:
6-8
Subject area:
Geography
Benchmark:
5
6. Knows the processes that shape patterns in the physical environment (e.g., the erosion
agents, such as water and ice; earthquake zones; and volcanic activity).
Standard:
Knows the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth's surface.
Credit:
Robert Michael de Groot, science education consultant and curriculum designer.
DiscoverySchool.com
http://www.discoveryschool.com
Copyright 2001 Discovery.com.
Teachers may reproduce copies of these materials for classroom use only.
6
7. Classroom Activity Sheet: Continental Drift Name:
Prehistoric Landmasses
Page 1 of 2
Gondwanaland was a prehistoric supercontinent comprised of the modern-day
landmasses of South America, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, Madagascar, and India.
Use the landmass illustrations on page 2, the chart and map key code below to mark
the locations where four types of fossils have been found.
Fossil Name Description Present-Day Locations
- Southern tip of India near Madurai
- Prince Harald Coast, Antarctica
Glossopteris A fern - Southern tip of Madagascar
- Oates Coast, Antarctica
- Southeastern Australia (near Melbourne)
- Southeastern Argentina
Cynognathus A land reptile (near Bahia Blanca)
- Southwestern South Africa
(near Cape Town)
- Wilhelm II Coast, Antarctica
- Madagascar, north of Antananarivo
Lystrosaurus A land reptile - Central India (between Bangalore
and Hyderabad)
- Eastern Tanzania (near Dar es Salaam)
- Eastern Brazil (near Salvador)
Mesosaurus A freshwater reptile - Cameroon, West Africa
Map Key Code
Glossopteris = Green “G”
Cynognathus= Orange “C”
Lystrosaurus= Red “L”
Mesosaurus = Blue “M”
8. Classroom Activity Sheet: Continental Drift Name:
Prehistoric Landmasses
Page 2 of 2
Africa
South America
scar
aga
Australia
Mad
India
Antarctica
9. Take-Home Activity Sheet: Continental Drift Name:
What Gondwanaland May Have Looked Like
1. Cut out the shapes of the following continents and countries from the Classroom
Activity Sheet: South America, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, Madagascar, and India.
2. In the space below, arrange the continents into what you think Gondwanaland
looked like. Look at the shapes of the continents. Then take a closer look at the
fossil locations marked on your map. Assuming that Wegener and Du Toit's theory
was correct, how can you use it as a guide? (Hint: Make the Gs on the shapes touch
each other. Do you think different continents with the same initials should also be
touching?)