CONTINENTAL DRIFT LAB
***WEGENER'S EVIDENCE***
Name ___________________________
Date ________________ Period ______
Introduction
The Earth’s crust is not a solid shell. It is made up of thick, interconnecting pieces called tectonic
plates that fit together like a puzzle. They move atop the underlying mantle, a really thick layer
of hot flowing rock.
By examining evidence such as similar rock layers in various places, fossilized desert belts, the
distribution of fossils, and the physical shapes of continents, scientists have concluded that the
Earth’s continents were once all connected to form a “supercontinent” called Pangaea that was
surrounded by an enormous ocean.
In this activity, students will use the different kinds of evidence to reconstruct how the Earth
may have looked approximately 220 million years ago.
Students will:
• use logic and the evidence to reconstruct the position of large islands and continents as they
appeared 220 million years ago.
• understand the theory of continental movement and plate tectonics.
• describe how scientists use different kinds of evidence to form theories.
Materials
• Globe or world map
• Instructions and continent cutouts pages
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Sheet of paper
• Ruler or compass
Instructions: Cut out the continents and arrange them in the space labeled “results”.
Answer the questions that follow. Maps and Globes are nearby.
Adapted from http://www.amnh.org/education/resources/rfl/pdf/dinos_plate_tectonics.pdf
Questions
1. What three kinds of evidence support Wegner’s theory that South America was at one time
joined with Africa? Be specific!
a.
___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c.
___________________________________________________
2. Where does Greenland join Pangaea? Be specific. ______________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. What dinosaur is found on almost every continent?_____________________________
4. Since a dinosaur cannot swim, explain how a fossil can be found on all continents?
____________________________________________________________________
5. It is generally considered that dinosaurs live in warm climates, yet fossil remains are found in
Antarctica. How can this be explained?______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
6. Where does Africa join Europe? ___________________________________________
7. What is the evidence? ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
8. Do plates move horizontally, vertically, or both?_________________
9 What do plates float on?_______________________
10. What type of rock are oceanic plates made of?_______________________
11. What type of rock are continental plates made of?_______________________
Adapted from http://www.amnh.org/education/resources/rfl/pdf/dinos_plate_tectonics.pdf
RESULTS
N
E
W
S
Adapted from
http://www.amnh.org/education
/resources/rfl/pdf/dinos_plate
_tectonics.pdf
Land Masses to Cut
Landmasses Key