Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Question 1

Who came up with the theory of continental drift?

Answer 1

Alfred Wegener

Question 2

What was the theory of continental drift?

Answer 2

Wegener said that about 300 million years ago, there was one ‘super continent’. This land mass broke apart and drifted away to where they are now because of strong tidal forces.

Question 3

When was the theory of continental drift published?

Answer 3

1915

Question 4

Why was was the theory of continental drift rejected by scientists at first?

Answer 4

Wegener did not have accurate and realistic evidence to support his idea. His explanation as to why the drift happened was impossible and his wild predictions weren’t convincing.

Question 5

What do we now believe caused the ‘super continent’ to split apart?

Answer 5

Plate tectonics.

Question 6

What are plate tectonics?

Answer 6

Segments of the earth’s crust that move about and collide.