4.2 Restless Continents

Question 1

the hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present day locations

Answer 1

continental drift

Question 2

the process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms as magma rises to the surface and solidifies

Answer 2

sea-floor spreading

Question 3

a huge continent that Alfred Wegner thought that all continents once formed 245 million years ago

Answer 3

Pagaea

Question 4

underwater mountain chains that run through Earth’s basins

Answer 4

Mid ocean ridge

Question 5

this takes place when Earth’s magnetic poles change places

Answer 5

magnetic reversal