Name: Date: Earth Science Class:

Lab 11- Continental Drift Introduction: The Earth’s crust is not a solid shell. It is made up of thick, interconnected pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a puzzle. They move atop the asthenosphere, a thick layer of hot, semi-fluid rock. By examining evidence such as similar rock layers in various places, similar fossils, and the physical shapes of the continents, scientists have concluded that the Earth’s continents were once all connected to form a supercontinent called Pangaea that was surrounded by an enormous ocean. In this activity students will use different kinds of evidence to reconstruct how the Earth may have looked approximately 220 million years ago when Pangaea existed.

Objective: Students will be able to explain how the evidence in rock layers, fossils, glaciers, and the continents shapes support Alfred Wegener’s idea of Continental Drift.

Vocabulary:

Continental Drift-

Plate Tectonics-

Nuclear Fission-

Convection-

Procedure: 1. Using the physical shape of continents, rock formations, fossilized desert belts, and the distribution of

similar fossils, fit together the continents and islands. Not all the boundaries may fit exactly and thatthere might be areas of water separating some of them. THE OUTLINE OF AFRICA HAS BEENPLACED ON THE MAP TO HELP YOU START.

2. Once you are sure the landmasses are in the correct position, call your teacher over to check it.

3. Glue them onto the world map provided.

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Conclusion Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences (except question #1).

(c) The continents are expected to come back together as a super-continent called Pangaea Ultimawithin the next 250 million years. If humans are still around, predict how they will have to adapt whenall the continents are back together.

3. Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was not immediately accepted because he could notidentify a mechanism that explained how the continents moved. Explain how convection in the mantlecan move the tectonic plates apart, and prove Alfred Wegener’s theory.

4. Explain the process of convection currents within Earth’s mantle in terms of density.

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1. Identify the four different pieces of evidence that support the idea that the continents were once joined together as Pangaea?

a. ___________________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________________

d. ___________________________________________________________________________2. (a) Compared to the position of North America when it was part of Pangaea, describe how North

America’s position has changed relative to the equator over the last 200 million years?__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

(b) Knowing how you answered 2a, compare the climate of our area (Northeastern United States) 200 million years ago to that of today.

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