
The continental drift hypothesis by Wegener and the controversies of other geologists on his theory.

Answer to Problem 1RQ
Wegener gave all the possible evidences which prove that the continents were once together as Pangaea and drifted apart during the late Mesozoic period. But he couldn’t formulate a reason for such a drift. Also, he didn’t explain the massive force that makes such huge blocks to drift apart. Hence, at first, other geologists couldn’t accept his proposal.
Explanation of Solution
Alfred Wegener is a German geologist who formulated the idea of the continental drift theory.
Wegener hypothesized that all continents present now were once making up a large super continent together, called Pangea, surrounded by a vast ocean. Later, due to some natural forces, they were broken and drifted apart at the end of the Mesozoic period. He formulated some evidences for his theory.
Evidences:
He observed the match of edges of continents. Wegener observed the match of the Atlantic coast lines, that is, the Eastern coast of North America and the North-western coast of Africa. Also, he pointed out the bulge of Eastern South America into South-western Africa. Australia, Antarctica, and India could all connect to the southeast of Africa, while Greenland, Europe, and Asia could pack against the northeastern margin of North America.
Wegener found that the same distinctive Precambrian rock assemblages occurred on the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa; regions now separated by an ocean. He also noticed that some of the features of the Appalachian Mountains of the United States and Canada closely match mountain belts in southern Greenland, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and Northwestern Africa. Therefore, he stated that not only coast lines but also rock units have matched.
Land dwelling animals cannot swim across oceans. Thus, Wegener observed the fossil record of late Paleozoic and Mesozoic time and fortunately, he observed that the same species existed on several continents which he placed adjacent to each other. He also observed the Paleozoic coal, reef, sand-dune, and salt deposits which define the climatic belts on Pangaea and that even matched his theory.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 2 Solutions
Essentials of Geology (Fifth Edition)
- Dike K H Fault L Figure 10.12 Geologic block diagram of a hypothetical area. C Youngest B Intrusion J Oldest "arrow_forwardChrome File Edit View History 0 O ↑ X O SIS Ω 4-511 6 Bookmarks Profiles Tab Window Help X 4-510 X 4-509 + cl.castlelearning.com/Review/CLO/Student/Assignment/Questions?assignmentID=13205009&tid=9976762 0 Qad c 4-511 Select Language 98 Mon May 5 5:26 PM Relaunch to update CED Sal Salvatore Burgio 5009 Which cross section best represents the pattern of sediments deposited on the bottom of a lake as the velocity of the stream entering the lake steadily decreased? -Top 2. esc Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom Submit Answer Zoom: Standard Note Bookmark Eliminator Highlighter Line Reader Reference Calculator Ruter Protractor MAY LO XA tv N Aa MacBook Pro C D Search or type URL ABGAB 1 2 # $ % & 3 4 5 6 7 8 00 Q W E R T Y U tab A S D F G caps lock shift H H ( 9 0 O + 11 Listen P [ ] J K L ? Z X C V B N M H command option L H fn control option command delete return shiftarrow_forwardI need help with part b and c. I don't want an explanation I need the actual graph, because it's hard to understand an explanation without showing what they mean.arrow_forward
- I need help with part b and c. I don't want an explanation I need the actual graph preferably broken down, because it's hard to understand an explanation without showing what they mean.arrow_forwardI need help with part b and c I don't know how to draw it.arrow_forwardI need help on part barrow_forward
- I need help with part carrow_forwardCan someone one sketch this and show me step by step how they did it.arrow_forward4. What is the geologic range of the fossil shown in Figure 10.15? From the Ordovician period through the Permian period. 5. What is the geologic range of the fossil shown in Figure 10.16? From the Cambrian period through the Permian period. 6. Imagine that you have discovered a rock outcrop that contains the fossils identified in Questions 4 and 5. What is the geologic range of this rock?From theperiod through the period.arrow_forward
- 4. What is the geologic range of the fossil shown in Figure 10.15? From the period through the period5. What is the geologic range of the fossil shown in Figure 10.16? From the period through the period.arrow_forwardACTIVITY 10.6 Types of Fossils Pg 174 1. Refer to Figure 10.13. Which photo(s) (A-1) best illustrate(s) the methods of fossilization or fossil evidence listed below? (Photos/letters may be used more than once.)Permineralization: The small internal cavities and pores of an original organism that are filled with precipitated mineral matter. Photo(s):Cast: The space once occupied by a dissolved shell or other structure that is subsequently filled with mineral matter. Photo(s):Carbonization: Preservation that occurs when fine sediment encases delicate plant or animal forms and leaves a residue of carbon, Photo(s):Impression: A replica of an organism, such as a leaf, left in fine-grained sedimentary rock. Photo(s):Amber: Hardened resin of ancient trees that preserved delicate organisms such as insects. Photo(s):Indirect evidence: Traces of prehistoric life but not the organism itself. Photo(s):arrow_forwardACTIVITY 10.7 Fossils as Time Indicators Pgs 175-176Use Figure 10.14, page 175, to complete the following. 1. What is the geologic range of plants that belong to the group Ginkgo?From theperiod through theperiod. 2. What is the geologic range of Lepidodendron, an extinct coal-producing plant?From theperiod through theperiod. 3. Imagine that you have discovered an outcrop of sedimentary rock that contains fossil shark teeth and fossils of Archimedes. In which time periods might this rock have formed?From theperiod through theperiod.arrow_forward
- Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...Earth ScienceISBN:9780134746241Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONExercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134041360Author:Greg CarbonePublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental ScienceEarth ScienceISBN:9781260153125Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Earth Science (15th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134543536Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental Science (MindTap Course List)Earth ScienceISBN:9781337569613Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott SpoolmanPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysical GeologyEarth ScienceISBN:9781259916823Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, LisaPublisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,





