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During the early 1900’s, Alfred Wegener surprised the scientific community with a new idea— the theory of continental drift . Like others before him, Wegener had always been curious about the similar shape of the coastlines of South America and Africa. Was it just a coincidence that the continents looked like they could fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle? Or, had they once been connected?
Wegener received overwhelming criticism for his ideas from most leading geologists at that time. However, he continued to search for evidence that would support the theory of continental drift until his death in 1930.
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What evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support the theory of continental drift?
MATERIALS: Each team member needs: scissors, one piece of blue paper, glue stick or scotch tape, colored pencils or markers, Worksheet 3 (Fossil and Glacial Evidence)
PROCEDURE
1.
Using worksheet 3, cut out the five continents along the 1,000-meter dotted lines.
2.
Lay the five continents on the new piece of blue paper and try to make the best coastline fit.
Use glue and/or tape sparingly, as you will be writing and coloring on each continent. (At the end of the lesson, you can secure the continents with more glue/tape.) HINT: use a world map to help keep the continents in their relative order.
3.
Compare the fit of the five continents with the first two continents you fit together.
4.
Your team needs to combine with another team of two. Now, study the fossil evidence for the one continent your teacher gives your team.

Your team of paleontologists are experts in the fossil evidence found on your continent.
Study the key to determine what kinds of fossil evidence are found there.

Using the color key provided on worksheet 3, transfer the fossil information for your continent onto your own set of continents.
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While one team member remains as the fossil expert for your continent, the other team members will visit the other paleontologists who are experts in fossil evidence for their particular continents.
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As team members record fossil data for other continents, they need to come back to your team of 4 and share the data. You may need to reposition some of your continents so that the fossil evidence lines up.
5.
Get a complete packet of the fossil and glacial evidence from your teacher.
6.
Use the data provided on the next page to indicate the glacial evidence for each continent.

Orient the continent so that North points to the top of the page.

H
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
Find the number(s) on each continent.
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Draw black arrows for each number to indicate the direction ancient glaciers moved.
(Use the data provided on the next page.)
7.
When you have completed drawing in the fossil and glacial evidence for the five continents, tape them securely on the blue paper.
8.
Finish answering the analysis questions.
Approximate Direction of Ice Movement (as recorded in the rocks)
Continent Evidence Site Direction of Ice Movement
1
South America
South Africa
India
Australia
Antarctica
Use compass direction for the correct orientation.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
17
18
19
12
13
14
15
16
Southeast to northwest
Southeast to northwest (perpendicular to present coast)
East-southeast to west-northwest (perpendicular to present coast)
East to west (perpendicular to present coast)
Northeast to southwest (perpendicular to present coast)
East to west
East-northeast to west-southwest
East-northeast to west-southwest
Southeast to northwest
South to north
South-southeast to north-northwest (parallel to coast)
South to north
South to north (parallel to present coast)
South to north
South to north
South-southwest to north-northeast (parallel to present coast)
West to east (parallel to coast)
South to north
South to north (towards the present coast)

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ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
1.
What evidence did Wegener first use to put the continents together?
2.
You’re a scientist living at the time of Wegener in the early 1900’s. You are skeptical of his theory. Write three questions you would ask him.
3.
How can you explain that there are no marine fossils represented on the five continents?
4.
You are a scientist that is skeptical of the theory of continental drift. You think that it would be natural to find fossils of Mesosaurus on both South America and Africa today, even though they are separated by thousands of miles of Atlantic Ocean. Respond to this scientist as you think Wegener might have.
5.
Mesosaurus and Lystrosaurus are extinct today. How does this fact support the theory of continental drift?
6.
Gondwanaland is the name geologists give the southern landmass consisting of these five continents. Name the present-day continents that formed Gondwanaland.
7.
When Gondwanaland was a continent, where was the glacier centered? What is your evidence?
8.
Which of these continents are still covered by glaciers today?
9.
Explain why you don’t find glaciers on the other continents today?
CONCLUSION
Write several sentences to answer the question posed at the start of the activity.