Topic 4: Moving Continents
Standard 4.f.
Plate Tectonics & Continental Drift
  Theory of Plate Tectonics: The
surface of the Earth is made of
about 12 moving crustal plates
and several smaller plates.
  Continental Drift: States that the
continents have moved and
are still moving apart.
Plate Movement
  The plates move
because heat is being
released from deep
inside the earth.
  There are may
volcanoes and
earthquakes where the
plates meet.
Think-Check #5
  What best explains what is
observed in the picture?
A.  The continents have been in
their same positions for
millions of years.
B.  There are many volcanoes
on the edge of plates.
C.  The continents have been
moving for millions of years.
Evidence of Continental Drift
  Evidence for Drift:
1.  Fossils
  Same organisms on different
continents.
2.  Shape of continents
  Continents fit together like a
puzzle.
3.  Similar rocks on various
continents.
Alfred Wegener
stated that the
continents have
moved.
Think-Check #6
  What type of evidence
for continental drift is
represented in the
picture?
A.  Fossils
B.  Shape of continents
C.  Rock Types