Which statement explains why the continental shelf should be included? Q. Detailed Description. Scientists proposed that sea-floor spreading is caused by mantle convection to explain the movement of the earth’s continents and plate tectonics. The speculation that continents might have 'drifted' was first put forward by Abraham Ortelius in 1596. ... Fossil remains of the same land-dwelling animal were found on each continent. It was then surmised that if these rock outcrops were identical, then they must have been together at some point. The theory was weakened by areas which lacked an exact fit. Evidence for Plate Tectonics The evidence for Plate Tectonics is very conclusive. Plates move away from each other at divergent boundaries. {7 major tectonic plates} The oldest ocean crust is most likely to be found along/adjacent continental margins {Transform plates are least likely to contain volcanoes} New oceanic crust is formed at mid- ocean ridges. List the evidence and describe the evidence used to support the plate tectonics theory. It is a very well supported theory, and while scientific debate continues about small parts or local effects, the overall concept is accepted as good as fact. Evidence for Plate Tectonics. The giant ocean that surrounded the continent is known as what? The continents have moved a great deal in the history of the planet, but they carry records of where they’ve been. Plate movements are responsible for most continental and ocean floor features and for the distribution of most rocks and minerals within Earth's crust. 2.4 Divergent Boundaries. The history is still being written. Continental drift is the hypothesis that the Earth's continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other, thus appearing to have "drifted" across the ocean bed. One of the key pieces of evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics is the puzzle fit of the continents. These climate anomalies could not be explained by land bridges. Describe 3 pieces of evidence that Wegener used to support his theory of plate tectonics. This evidence shows how Earth's plates have moved great distances, collided, and spread apart throughout Earth's history. fossil evidence. This is based on the fact that rocks of different ages show a variable magnetic field direction, evidenced by studies since the mid–nineteenth century. There's even rock and fossil evidence supporting continental drift. The theory of plate tectonics posits that the continents and ocean basins on Earth's crust rest on large plates that are pulled continuously along over semi-molten material just beneath them. There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents, (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches. It has the power to explain many phenomena, such as volcanoes and earthquakes. Early Evidence: Fossils and Puzzle Pieces. 4.2: Paleomagnetic Evidence for Plate Tectonics Last updated; Save as PDF Page ID 4486; Contributed by Paul Webb; Professor (Biology) at Roger Williams University; No headers. There are a whole bunch of fossils. Fossil Evidence 3. Now we know that plate tectonics was the mechanism that tore continents apart. Can you identify and describe atleat 2 fossil eveidence that support plate movement?cite and support your ideas. It's the movement deep below Earth's crust that causes earthquakes and volcanoes. Further science was done that showed that, for instance a rock outcrop along the beach of South America was identical in rock type, stratigraphy thickness (size of rock layers), and fossils to another rock outcrop found on the beach in Africa. Fossils tell us when and where plants and animals once existed. The earliest marine fossils found along the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa date from about 150 to 200 million years ago, suggesting that the Atlantic Ocean did not exist prior to that time. It would have been physiologically impossible for Mesosaurus to swim between the continents. Image Dimensions: 1280 x 720 Fossil evidence is only one area that supports plate tectonics. Alfred Wegener collected diverse pieces of evidence to support his theory, including geological “fit” and fossil evidence. Modern continents hold clues to their distant past. And probably the most interesting thing is the fossil evidence. It is found as fossils only in South Africa and South America. In fact. It evolved during the Early Permian (299 million years ago) and went on to become the dominant species throughout the period, not becoming extinct until the end of the Permian. First, they theorized that separate species developed identically across the far-flung continents, a notion that was highly unlikely. Today, we have a much broader set of evidence in favor of the hypothesis. Ancient rocks on the Brazilian coast also match those found in West Africa. What is the definition of the theory of plate tectonics ? Fossil Evidence. In the first instance, I would remind you, that although many refer to it as such, plate tectonics is not a theory, but an actual fact. Remains of Mesosaurus, a freshwater crocodile-like reptile that lived during the early Permian (between 286 and 258 million years ago), are found solely in Southern Africa and Eastern South America. Cynognathus was as large as a modern wolf and lived during the early to mid Triassic period (250 to 240 million years ago). 4. Not only do Earth's tectonic plates move, but thanks to invisible patterns on the ocean floor, we also know that the magnetic poles flip! Because of the fossil evidence, we know the Mesozoic Era experienced significant continental rift.