Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Continental drift video clip notice how fossils lined up across continents. Plate tectonics discussion if you finish your discussion you may scroll down to the bottom of this page and watch the video natural disaster historys most. Choose from 500 different sets of plate tectonics continental drift questions flashcards on quizlet. Divergent boundaries click the back arrow once on the internet explorer screen to move back one page. The first comprehensive theory of continental drift was suggested by the german meteorologist alfred wegener in 1912. A plate tectonic model for the paleozoic and mesozoic. Oceanic crust is mainly composed of silicon and magnesium, hence called sima. Continental drift and plate tectonics missouri state university. The continental drift theory is the theory that once. Lithosphere is divided into plates that slide around on top of the slowly moving mesosphere tectonic plates it occurred after the breakup of pangaea, and since then the continents have drifted apart the pictures show continental drift theory from 225 million years to present. In 1912, wegener formulated the theory of continental drift.
The portion of the earth between the crust and the core. Plate tectonics and continental drift fleagle major reference. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the earth move and deform. Each tectonic plate consists of oceanic and continental. Plate tectonics theory the upper most mantle, along with overlying crust, behaves as a strong, rigid layer. General article alfred wegener from continental drift to. Difference between continental drift and plate tectonics.
A revolution in the earth sciences from continental. Continental drift theory continental drift is the hypothesis that all the continents had once been joined together in a single landmass. Continental drift is a theory first presented by abraham ortelius abraham ortels in 1596. Continental drift, in the context of the modern theory of plate tectonics, is explained by the movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere the molten, ductile, upper portion of the earths mantle. A lesson on continental drift with activities outlined on the powerpoint. The quarter century since plate tectonic theory provided geoscience with a guiding framework in which to carry forward research into global.
Having a revolution in the earth sciences from continental drift to plate tectonics in your hand like getting the world in your arm, information in it is not ridiculous one. That continent eventually separated and drifted apart, forming into the seven. Plate tectonics pt plate tectonics is the movement of lithospheric plates relative to each other. Plate tectonics, the study of the arrangements of continents and oceans on the surface of the earth, and their ongoing movements, separations, and collisions has revolutionized our understanding of earth history, and the biogeographical history of primate evolution.
That continent eventually separated and drifted apart, forming into the seven continents we have today. Symposia and invited papers, 1978, who nevertheless acknowledged. The bad seed by jory john and pete oswald duration. The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. Plate tectonics, the study of the arrangements of continents and oceans on the surface of the earth, and their ongoing movements, separations. Earths crust is divided into two major layers, the lithosphere at the top and the asthenosphere right below it. The lithosphere is divided into moving segments that change. Plate tectonics an explanation for the movement of continents mechanics of plate movements processes and landforms associated with different kinds of plate boundaries the worlds volcanic and earthquake zones plate tectonics this is a theory that developed in the 1960s that followed from the theory of continental drift. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. The theory states that the earth is made of several tectonic plates along with several smaller plates. Chapter 1 from continental drift to plate tectonics naomi oreskes since the l6th century, cartographers have noticed the jigsawpuzzle fit of the continental edges. Two main types of tectonics plates are the oceanic crust and continental crust. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other. The theory of continental drift wegener 1880 1930 alfred wegener first proposed the theory of continental drift.
Freeman structural geology geologic map lab exercise 2. The continental drift hypothesis had survived after. An introduction to continental drift and plate tectonics. Google earth plate tectonics and continental drift investigation. Plate tectonics and continental drift fleagle major. Plate tectonics continental drift and mountain building ebooks plate tectonics continental drift and mountain building right here, we have countless books plate tectonics continental drift and mountain building and collections to. According to the theory of continental drift, the world was made up of a single continent through most of geologic time. The theory has caused a revolution in the way we think about the earth. Inspect evidence for the theory of continental drift involving plate tectonics and supercontinent pangeaa discussion of some of the evidence. Plate tectonics alfred wegener continental drift plate boundaries convergent divergent filename. Continental drift the first step in the scientific method begins with making observations 102 years ago, in 1912, alfred wegener made observations about the similarities of different continents based on his observations, and using the scientific method, he formulated a hypothesis. It accounts for all of the major features of the ocean basin and the surface of the earth in general.
Continental drift and plate tectonics slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Explain the theory of continental drift, and how it was developed. So whats the difference between continental drift and plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory explaining the motion of the outer crust or the lithosphere of earth.
Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. The diagram to the left shows a map fit of the continental masses about 150200 years agothis is a piece of data used to confirm that the continents drifted to where they are today the concept of continental drift initiated the rock plate concept. Early evidence for plate tectonics magma generation, igneous intrusions, metamorphism, volcanic action, earthquakes, faulting, and folding are usually the result of plate tectonic activity. Sep 26, 2018 continental drift seafloor spreading plate tectonics. Another of the great agents of extinction came with the evolution of the earth itself. Tectonic plates and continental drift teaching resources. Plate tectonics is a combination of two ideas, seafloor spreading and continental drift.
The theory of plate tectonics offers a mechanism, acceptable to the physics community, that can account for the continental motions described by wegener, dutoit, and the paleomagnetists. Bookmark file pdf section 2 reinforcement plate tectonics answers section 2 reinforcement plate tectonics answers 52 plate tectonics 2 seafloor spreading harry hess and marie tharp are the main heroes elucidating the mechanism for continental drift, and thus laying the groundwork. A theory proposed by alfred wegner that said all continents were once joined 300 million years ago in a single land mass called pangaea. This new method represents a distinct departure from classical continental drift reconstructions, which are not constrained, due to the lack of plate boundaries. Mar 17, 2016 in the 20th century, researchers realized that the earths crust is not one piece, but is made up of many huge tectonic plates upon which the continents ride. They will collide and be welded or sutured together. Oreskes, naomi 2002, continental drift pdf, in munn, ted. Today, the theory of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate tectonics. Learn plate tectonics continental drift questions with free interactive flashcards. Continental drift pangea final pangea plate tectonics.
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along plate boundaries 3. Hypotheses like continental drift, plate tectonics or earths expansion should not be considered as viable in view of solid and rigid state of mantle. Pdf continental drift and plate tectonics part 1 jakie. Starts out as a continent riding on a subducting oceanic slab. As the continents approach and collide they cannot be subducted like the oceanic plate because the continental crust is lighter than oceanic lithosphere.
Oct 31, 2008 continental drift and plate tectonics slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. I make a distinction between plate tectonics and continental drift because i think continental drift specifically refers to wegeners hypothesis which didnt have a mechanism and therefore you cant really call it a valid theory because it wasnt accepted by other scientists and it did have some things wrong with it. The difference between continental drift and plate tectonic theory. The study of the origin and arrangement of earth surface including mountain belts, continents, and earthquake belts. Continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on earths surface. The development of the theory is an excellent example of the cumulative nature of science and the scientifc. He discovered hundreds of flattopped mountains on the pacific floor. Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative.
Plate tectonicscontinental drift and mountain building find, read and cite all the research you. Plate tectonics summary the earth is made up of 3 main layers core, mantle, crust on the surface of the earth are tectonic plates that slowly move around the globe plates are made of crust and upper mantle lithosphere there are 2 types of plate there are 3 types of plate boundaries volcanoes and earthquakes are closely. Continental drift and plate tectonics theory for kids youtube. Continental drift continents were once joined, moved through ocean floor not with it, do not use layers of earth. This approach is meant to highlight the historical development of the theory of plate tectonics. Continental trench, volcanic arc, subduction, lithosphere, asthenosphere. Continental drift theory alfred wegener proposed that parts of earths crust slowly drift atop a liquid core. Nov 11, 2016 the purpose of this paper is to elucidate the semantic relation between continental drift and plate tectonics. Continental drift and plate tectonics science with mrs. Wegener contended that the relative positions of the continents are not rigidly fixed but are slowly movingat a rate of about one yard per century. An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Alfred wegener was the first to offer a comprehensive theory about continental drift but failed to provide a feasible explanation about how continents actually drifted apart. The first two sections of the chapter reveal the basic observations that were used to make predictions on the geologic processes that shaped. The theory of plate tectonics provides an example of the evolution of scientific thought. This was the time when reptiles and winged insects first appeared. Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. Continental drift and plate tectonics notes part 1 alfred wegener and continental drift continental drift is the idea that the worlds land masses are slowly moving over time alfreds evidences pangaea the supercontinent made of all continents that existed millions of years ago. The crust is broken up into giant tectonic plates that ride atop the magma, hot meltedrock.
We can say that no book that offer you world throughout ten or fifteen moment right but this publication already do that. Alfred wegener first noticed that the continents fit like pieces from a jigsaw puzzle, but there are also other features across continents that suggest that they were once joined see next section. In 1969, spreading plate margins became part of the theory of plate tectonics. What is the difference between continental drift and plate tectonics. What happens when two continents meet headon, meet headon and neither is subducted. Frisch and meschede and blakey answer all these questions and more through the presentation and explanation of the geodynamic processes upon which the theory of continental drift is based and which have lead to the concept of plate tectonics. The difference between continental drift and plate. Therefore, based on the concepts of the continental drift and other developing ideas at the time, a general theory was developed, which is now known as the plate tectonics. Frisch and meschede and blakey answer all these questions and more through the presentation and explanation of the geodynamic processes upon which the theory of continental drift is based and which have led to the concept of plate tectonics.
Mineral deposits, continental drift, and plate tectonics. Proceedings of the biennial meeting of the philosophy of science association. Tuzo wilson offered a fundamental reinterpretation of wegeners continental drift theory and became the first person to use the term plates to describe the division and pattern of relative movement between different regions of the earths surface i. During the 20th century, a major scientific concepttheory of plate tectonics emerged. What is the continental drift theory and how is it related to plate tectonics.
The presentation about plate tectonics is divided into 3 separate discussions. He also proposed a tectonic cycle the wilson cycle. Continental drift is the movement of the earths continents relative to each other, thus appearing to drift across the ocean bed. The numerous attempts to account for this case in either kuhnian or lakatosian terms have been convincingly dismissed by rachel laudan psa. Plate tectonics although ridiculed at first, wegners theory on continental drift was supported by evidence decades after his death and led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, or the movement of the earths crust. This video is a great introduction to the hypothesis of continental drift and tectonic plates. Oct 09, 2012 continental drift and plate tectonics. The continental drift theory states that the continents were once parts of a supercontinent called pangea. In the 1960s, geology was transformed by the paradigm of plate tectonics. Alfred wegener some people thought the earth was shrinking and cracking wegener thought whole sections of the crust moved. The area where two plates meet is called plate boundaries.
Activity 1 resource l1 example of resource for activity 2 l2 continental drift worksheet. Pdf on jan 1, 2012, karoly nemeth and others published w. Continental drift lesson plate tectonics interactive. Plate tectonics and continental drift sayville high school. The contribution of hess hess measured the oceans to the deepest points to date, 10. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms.
Andy crawforddorling kindersleygetty images plate tectonics is the theory that explains the structure, composition and internal workings of the earth on a worldwide scale, while continental drift refers to the theory that the continents all used to be connected in. Continental drift and plate tectonics f you look closely at a world map, you might notice something about the coastlines of south america and africa. All this evidence, including the data collected by alfred wegners for this theory of continental drift, was put together to form the theory of plate tectonics. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Alfred wegener was the first to offer a comprehensive theory about continental drift but failed to provide a feasible explanation about how continents actually.
The aim of this article is to briefly introduce the concept of plate tectonics and. The creation of new oceanic crust at midocean ridges is called seafloor spreading. Continental drift and plate tectonics columbia university. Together these concepts would become the theory of plate tectonics. Subduction zones are where mountainbuilding orogeny occurs 6. Continental drift theory alfred wegener, 1922 plate tectonics breakup of pangea.
Click on illustration of the main types of plate boundaries 55 k label the diagram below. According to the generally accepted platetectonics theory, scientists believe that earths surface is broken into a number of shifting slabs or plates. The earths crust is divided into six large pieces, and about twenty smaller pieces, by deep fault systems. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of. Continental drift 1912 alfred wegener meteorologist theory. Continental drift and plate tectonics are two theories explaining the geological evolution of the earth, specifically its crust. The outer part of the earth, made up of the crust and upper mantle. Freeman plate tectonics answers free pdf file sharing. What is the difference between continental drift and plate. Plate tectonics and continental drift flashcards quizlet. The plate tectonics theory is based on the continental drift theory in that it explains how the supercontinent drifted apart into several plates. This narrative statement is familiar and acceptable to everyone in the scientific community, but scientists differ when talking about the cause of continental breakup.
Continental drift, seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. Layers of the earth, convection currents in the mantle, continental drift, seafloor spreading, and theory of plate tectonics. What mountain range demonstrates one of the most visible and spectacular consequences of plate tectonics. Continental drift and plate tectonics visavis earths expansion. Plate tectonics and continental drift tectonics is the study of the orig in and arran gement o f earths stru ctural fea tures w hich include not only folds and faults but also continents, mountains, and earthquake regions.
Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. These are front to back video notes for students to fill out as they watch continents adrift. Look at the diagram under the continental continental information. Plate tectonics explains structure and internal workings, plates move on the layers, continents separate eachother. Most influential earth scientists were based in the northern hemisphere, whereas most of the conclusive data came from the southern hemisphere there were plausible alternative explanations to the distribution of fossils and glacial deposits the geophysisists could not think of a force strong. New ocean crust is created along midocean ridges 4. Convection current theory cct convection current theory forms the basis of sfst and pt. Plate tectonics continental drift and mountain building. Plate tectonics continental drift andmountainbuilding 11 pdf drive search and download pdf files for free. Plate tectonics and continental drift infographic live. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. The idea of continental drift has since been subsumed by the theory of plate tectonics, which explains that the. Animation of sea floor spreading worldwide earthquake patterns help us know where the edges of plates are located the earths plates earthobservatory.
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