Plate Tectonics Theory 2B

Question 2

Theory of Continental Drift

Answer 2

Continental landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other

Earth’s continents were once part of an enormous, single landmass called Pangea.
240 million years ago

Question 3

Key Pieces of evidence that support the theory of continental drift

Answer 3

seafloor spreading - As the seafloor grows wider, the continents on opposite sides of the ridge move away from each other.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Rift valleys are sites where a continental landmass is ripping itself apart. Africa, for example, will eventually split along the Great Rift Valley system

Question 4

Short term geological mechanisms for change

Answer 4

Examples: volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, meteorite impacts

Question 5

Long term geological mechanisms for change

Answer 5

Examples: weathering, erosion, deposition
Mountain building

Question 6

Erosion

Answer 6

Rocks break down to smaller pieces, the pieces get moved

Question 7

How does erosion lead to the creation of mountains?

Answer 7

rocks break down, then get moved and pile up (deposition)

Question 8

Describe the processes that lead to the creation of mountains

Answer 8

Erosion and weathering of rock, they move and settle somewhere else (deposition

Question 9

Describe the constructive processes that shape land formations

Answer 9

Volcano eruptions
Mountain formations
Faults

Question 10

What are the destructive processes that can alter the Earth’s surface?

Answer 10

physical weathering - shaking a sugar cube
Chemical weathering - vinegar vs water
Wind erosion

Question 11

What causes weathering

Answer 11

wind, rain, rivers,