Development of Plate Tectonic Theory, pp G110-G113
What two features of the Earth played a part in the development of the theory of plate
tectonics?
According to Suess, what happened to the densest materials when Earth was in a molten
state? What happened to the least dense?
How did Suess explain how ocean basins formed?
What did Seuss propose connected central and South Africa, Madagascar, and India,
which allowed animals and plants to migrate?
*)What was the name of the theory proposed by Alfred Wegener?
*)Describe continental drift.
*)Define Pangaea.
*)List 3 pieces of evidence that supported Wegener’s hypothesize of continental drift.
*)Why did some scientists argue against Wegener’s theory?
*)List the key pieces of evidence later found to support the theory of plate tectonics?
How long ago did Pangaea begin to break?
*)Define supercontinent.
What is the Wilson cycle?
Define paleomagnetism.
What is a rock’s paleolatitude?
Objective:
Describe the context in which the hypothesis of continental drift was proposed and why it
was subjected to criticism.