Continental Drift Packet[1]

CONTINENTAL DRIFT LAB

Name ___________________________ Block ______

Directions: Cut out the continents and arrange in the space below. Be sure to use the clues on the puzzle pieces to make the match ups. Glue the pieces down, including the key, then answer the lab questions that follow.

1. What five kinds of evidence support Wegner’s theory that the continents were once joined in a supercontinent called Pangaea? Be specific! a.

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b. ____________________________________________________ c.

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d. ____________________________________________________ e. ____________________________________________________

2. Where does Greenland join Pangaea? What evidence supports your claim?

3. Since a dinosaur cannot swim, how can dinosaur fossils be found on all continents?

4. It is generally considered that dinosaurs live in warm climates, yet fossil remains are found in Antarctica. How can this be explained?

5. Where does Africa join Europe? What is the evidence?

6. Stegosaurus fossils have not been found on some continents. Explain why this is probably so (and it is not because no one has found any yet!).

7. Similar glacial deposits were found on most continents. What does this probably indicate about the overall climate of Pangea at the time?

8. Do you think the following mountain ranges are older or younger than Pangea? What is your evidence for each? a. The Appalachians? (located in the Eastern US/North American Plate)

b. The Andes? (located on the Eastern border of South America)

c. The Himalayas? (located in between India and Europe/Asia)

d. The Rockies? (located in the Western US/North American Plate)

e. The Alps? (located in the middle of Europe)