Page 153 - Science Course 2 (Book 2)
P. 153
Mo11-L4a: What is Continental Drift?
The orange area shows where fossils of Glossopteris
have been found. Key Concept
Fossils provide evidence for continental drift. What is Continental Drift?
How were similar rock types used to support the
continental drift hypothesis?
Wegener observed that mountain ranges and rock
formations on different continents had common
origins, providing rock evidence for continental drift.
Volcanic rock that is identical in chemistry and age
has been found on the western coast of Africa and
the eastern coast of South America.
What was Missing?
Wegener’s ideas were not widely
accepted until nearly four decades
later.
The Caledonia mountain range in northern Europe
and the Appalachian Mountains in eastern North Scientists questioned continental
America are similar in age, structure, and rock type. drift because it was a slow process
and Wegener could not measure
how fast continents moved
or how they moved.
Scientists could not
understand how
continents could push
their way through the
solid rock of the mantle
and the seaf oor.
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