Directions: Drag and Drop the following answers into the correct box, either it is considered "Supporting Evidence" or "NOT Supporting Evidence" for the Continental Drift Theory.

Question

Which of the following are types of evidence to prove that the continents were once together in a supercontinent called Pangea and then drifted apart (Continental Drift Theory)?

Answer 1

To categorize the evidence for the Continental Drift Theory, I'll provide some examples of what typically would be considered "Supporting Evidence" and "NOT Supporting Evidence."

Supporting Evidence

1. Fossil Correlation: Fossils of the same species found on different continents (like Mesosaurus in South America and Africa).
2. Geological Fit: The shapes of continents fit together, like puzzle pieces, particularly the coastlines of South America and Africa.
3. Paleoclimatic Evidence: Evidence of past climates (such as glacial deposits in now-tropical areas) that suggests continents were once located in different climatic zones.
4. Rock Formations: Similar rock types and ages found on different continents which align with previous land connections.
5. Distribution of Species: Similar plant and animal species found on continents that are now widely separated.

NOT Supporting Evidence

1. Religious Texts: References from religious texts or myths that do not provide scientific evidence.
2. Modern Technology Limits: Arguments about the inability of modern technology to observe continental drift directly, without considering geological evidence.
3. Random Earthquake Data: Earthquake data that does not correlate with continental boundaries or tectonic plate movements.
4. General Observations of Land Shapes: Subjective opinions about the shapes of continents without scientific backing.

Feel free to assign specific pieces of evidence you have to the correct category! If you provide a list of specific items, I can help you categorize them as "Supporting Evidence" or "NOT Supporting Evidence."

Answer 2

These are rocks found on either side of the Mid-Alantic Ridge where two tectonic plates are moving apart and a new ocean crust is being formed,Continets appear like puzzle pieaces that might fit together, simalar fossils where discovered on serveral continets but cannot swim in saltwater and cannot travel across the ocean

Answer 3

Based on your descriptions, here's how to categorize them:

Supporting Evidence

1. Continents appear like puzzle pieces that might fit together: This refers to the shape of the continents, particularly South America and Africa, which closely align, suggesting they were once connected.

2. Similar fossils were discovered on several continents but cannot swim in saltwater and cannot travel across the ocean: This indicates the presence of the same species in different locations that are now separated by oceans, supporting the idea of continental drift as these species would have existed when the continents were connected.

NOT Supporting Evidence

1. Rocks found on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two tectonic plates are moving apart and a new ocean crust is being formed: While this phenomenon relates to plate tectonics and the formation of oceanic crust, it doesn't directly support the Continental Drift Theory in the context of Pangea, as it describes a process rather than evidence for past connectivity of continents.

So in summary:

• Supporting Evidence: Continents appear like puzzle pieces, similar fossils discovered on several continents.
• NOT Supporting Evidence: Rocks found on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.