Continental Drift Theory

Continental
Drift
Theory
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:
1. Describe the continental drift theory.
2. Discuss evidence that support continental drift theory.
3. Explain how the seafloor spreads.

A glimpse of the past
Development of the Continental
Drift Theory
 As a young scientist, Wegener was curious about
Earth’s continents.
 In 1910, Wegener formed a hypothesis which

stated that 250 million years ago, all the continents
were once joined together in a giant landmass.
Alfred Wegener  He named this landmass PANGAEA.

Drift Theory
 This giant supercontinent was
surrounded by a single giant sea known as
the Panthalassa.
 According to Wegener, Pangaea split up
into smaller continents.
 Laurasia and Gondwanaland
Drift Theory
Theory of Continental Drift, which states

that parts of the Earth's crust slowly drift
atop a liquid core. The giant landmass,
Pangaea, drifted apart and formed the
seven known continents today.
Evidence to
Support the
CDT
Sources of Evidences for
the Continental Drift
Theory
Wegener used 3 types of evidence to

prove his theory.
 Evidence from landforms
 Evidence from fossils
 Evidence from climate

Evidence of the Continental Drift Theory
Evidence from Landforms or
The Continental Jigsaw
The shapes of the continents seemed
to fit together. Mountain ranges and
other features also lined up.
Evidence from Landforms or
The Continental Jigsaw
South America and Africa fit together.
 India, Antarctica and Australia match

one another.
 Eurasia and North America

completed the puzzle in the North.
Evidence from Fossils
Fossils from one continent matched
fossils from other continents.
Wegener used both plant and animal

fossils.
 Fossilized leaves of an extinct plant
Glossopteris were found on a 250 million
years old rocks. These fossils were located in
the continents of South Africa, Australia,
India and Antarctica which are now
separated to each other by wide oceans.
 Fossilized leaves of an extinct plant
Glossopteris were found on a 250 million
years old rocks. These fossils were located in
the continents of South Africa, Australia,
India and Antarctica which are now
separated to each other by wide oceans.
Mesosaurus: a freshwater
swimming reptile found in
Africa and South America
Evidence from Climate
Wegener looked at certain areas on
Earth and their climates
He noted that the fossils he found on

certain sections of Earth did not match
the current climate.
Evidence from Climate
Glacier scratches in
South Africa
Evidence of the Continental
Drift Theory
At first nobody believed Alfred Wegener’s
theory…..
He could not prove how or why the continents

moved.
Seafloor
Spreading
Seafloor Spreading
The mechanism that operates along
the ocean ridge system to create new
floor is called seafloor spreading.
Seafloor Spreading
 Harry Hess, an American geologist
together with Robert Dietz presented
this hypothesis and he proposed that
the seafloor is not permanent but is
continuously being renewed.
Seafloor Spreading
 Hess theorized that the ocean ridges are
located above upwelling convection cells in
the mantle.
 The theory of the seafloor spreading

provided the mechanism for the
continental drift.
Seafloor Spreading
Findings that Support
the Seafloor Spreading
 Rocks are younger at the mid-ocean
ridge
 Sediments are thinner at the ridge
 Rocks at the ocean floor are

younger than those at the continents.
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
Direction: Answer the following questions briefly in not more
than three (3) sentences. Support your answer with concise
explanations.
1. What do the Glossopteris fossil tells us about the early

position of the continents?
2. If the Glossopteris fossils were found in Antarctica, what
might have been the climate of this continent before?
3. If the climate and position of a place is relative to each other,
where then was the location of the Antarctica 250 million years
ago?

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Continental

1. Describe the continental drift theory.

2. Discuss evidence that support continental drift theory.

3. Explain how the seafloor spreads.

 In 1910, Wegener formed a hypothesis which

Alfred Wegener  He named this landmass PANGAEA.

Theory of Continental Drift, which states

Wegener used 3 types of evidence to

 Evidence from landforms

 Evidence from fossils

 Evidence from climate

 India, Antarctica and Australia match

 Eurasia and North America

Wegener used both plant and animal

He noted that the fossils he found on

He could not prove how or why the continents

 The theory of the seafloor spreading

 Sediments are thinner at the ridge

 Rocks at the ocean floor are

1. What do the Glossopteris fossil tells us about the early

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