1) Explain the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
2) Identify one fossil (from the picture below) that supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
3) Explain how/why that fossil supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
Mesosaurus
1) The Theory of Continental Drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, suggests that the Earth's continents were once a single landmass called Pangea, which over time split and drifted apart. According to this theory, the continents move slowly over time due to the process of plate tectonics.
2) One fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Mesosaurus.
3) Mesosaurus was a small reptile that lived during the early Permian period, approximately 300 million years ago. Fossils of Mesosaurus have been found in South America and Africa, continents that are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The existence of Mesosaurus fossils in both continents suggests that these landmasses were once connected and later drifted apart. This supports the Theory of Continental Drift as it provides evidence of a shared geological history and the movement of continents over time.
1) The Theory of Continental Drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, states that the continents were once part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea and have since moved apart. According to this theory, the continents float on separate tectonic plates, which can move horizontally on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. This movement causes the continents to drift over time, leading to the current positions we observe today.
2) Mesosaurus is a fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift.
3) Mesosaurus, an extinct reptile, is known to have lived approximately 270 million years ago and its fossilized remains have been found in both South America (specifically Uruguay and Brazil) and Africa. This supports the Theory of Continental Drift because these regions, which are currently separated by the South Atlantic Ocean, were once part of the same landmass. The presence of identical fossils in both areas suggests that Mesosaurus inhabited a single body of water that connected the two continents during its existence. This finding strengthens the evidence for continental drift since it implies that the continents were once joined together closely enough to allow for the migration of organisms.
1) The Theory of Continental Drift is a scientific hypothesis that suggests that the continents on Earth were once a single landmass called Pangaea, which gradually broke apart and drifted to their current positions. This theory was proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century. According to the theory, the continents move due to the movement of tectonic plates, which are large chunks of the Earth's crust that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.
To explain the Theory of Continental Drift, one can start by understanding the concept of tectonic plates. The Earth's lithosphere (the rigid outer layer) is divided into several large and small tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving very slowly, driven by the convective movement of the underlying mantle.
The theory suggests that millions of years ago, all the continents were connected as one supercontinent called Pangaea. Over time, this mega-landmass started to break apart into smaller segments, which eventually drifted to their current locations. The process of continental drift involves the movement of entire continents across the surface of the Earth.
The main evidence supporting this theory comes from the matching shapes of coastlines on different continents, similar geological features and rock formations found across continents that were once contiguous, and the distribution of certain fossils and plants.
2) Based on the information provided, one fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Mesosaurus.
3) Mesosaurus is an extinct aquatic reptile that lived around 280 million years ago during the early Permian period. Fossils of Mesosaurus have been found in both South America (specifically in Brazil and Uruguay) and Africa (specifically in Namibia and South Africa). The fact that fossils of the same species have been found in both continents suggests that there was once a connection between them.
This supports the Theory of Continental Drift because if the continents were fixed in their positions and did not move, it would be highly unlikely for the same species to exist in widely separated geographic areas. The presence of Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa indicates that these continents were once joined together as part of the supercontinent Pangaea, and that over time, they drifted apart to their current locations.