Warm Up In complete sentences answer How could

Warm Up In complete sentences answer: How could an animal that couldn’t fly or swim cross the ocean? Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Your Goals for Today We will be able to explain: • What continental drift is. • Why Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was rejected. Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

The Theory of Continental Drift Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Pangaea • The single landmass that broke apart 200 million years ago and gave the rise to today’s continents Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Continental Drift • A hypothesis that the continents slowly move across Earth’s surface Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Did you know? 2 Observations scientists made: • A mountain range in South Africa lines up identical with mountain ranges in Argentina (South America) • Brazilian coal fields match up identical with coal fields in South Africa • WHAT COULD YOU INFER FROM THIS? • “The evidence ______ suggests _____ because _______” Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

More Observing: Don’t some of the coastlines seem to match up like jig-saw puzzle? “The evidence above suggests _____ because _______” • The continents of Africa and South America best match up like jigsaw-puzzle pieces • This suggests that these continents were once joined as a single continent, which Wegener called Pangaea. Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Inferring: According to Wegener’s theory, what does the presence of similar mountain ranges in Africa and South America indicate? The similar mountain ranges in Africa and SA suggest that _______. • The presence of similar mountain ranges indicates that Africa and South America were once joined. Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Evidence From Fossils Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Fossil • Fossil: A trace of an organism that has been preserved in rock Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Glossopteris fossils have been found in rocks in Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica unexpectedly HOW MIGHT THIS SUPPORT WEGENER’S THEORY? Answer: Seeds could not have travel that far over the oceans to reach other continents Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Evidence From Climate Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Some more evidence: Climate discoveries Wegener cited: 1. The Island of Spitsbergen (Artic Ocean) has evidence of tropical plants 2. Deep scratches in rocks were found in South Africa • These scratches support evidence of glaciers The island of Spitsbergen today (not so tropical…) Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Checkpoint: What were three types of evidence Wegner used to support his theory of continental drift? • Landforms • Fossils • Climate Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Scientists Reject Wegener’s Theory List 5 reasons why you might still reject Wegener’s Theory Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Why was Alfred Wegener’s theory rejected? • Wegener could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the force that pushes or pulls the continents • He could not identify the cause of continental drift • Geologists needed more evidence of how the continents and mountains were formed Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Make a Study Guide Landforms 1. Fossils 1. Climate 1. 2. 2. Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.

Exit Tickets! Answer in complete sentences: 1. What was Pangaea? 2. Give 2 -3 reasons that Wegener used to justify his theory of plate tectonics. 3. Give 2 reasons why Wegener’s theory was still rejected, despite his evidence. Objective: SWBAT explain what continental drift is, what Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was, and why it was rejected.