What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?
Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the plates once fit together. Fossils tell us when and where plants and animals once existed. Some life “rode” on diverging plates, became isolated, and evolved into new species.
What evidence supports the theory that the continents were once joined together?
There are various examples of fossils found on separate continents and in no other regions. This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil transfer.
What are the six evidences that support plate movement?
There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents, (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches.
What evidence supports plate tectonics quizlet?
Earthquakes and volcanic activity are also evidence of plate tectonics.
What is the most visible evidence that these continents were once connected?
Fossil Evidence One type of evidence that strongly supported the Theory of Continental Drift is the fossil record. Fossils of similar types of plants and animals in rocks of a similar age have been found on the shores of different continents, suggesting that the continents were once joined.
What evidence did Alfred use in his theory?
He used fossil evidence, such as that of tropical plants found on the Arctic island of Spitzbergen. He found large-scale geographic features that matched, like the Appalachian Mountains in the United States and the Scottish Highlands, as well as rock strata in South Africa that matched those in Brazil.
Which of the following is the most recent evidence of plate tectonics?
Volcanic activity and sea-floor spreading at the mid-ocean ridges are the most recent evidence of plate tectonics.
Which of the following evidences proves that Pangaea had existed?
The rock formations of eastern North America, Western Europe, and northwestern Africa were later found to have a common origin, and they overlapped in time with the presence of Gondwanaland. Together, these discoveries supported the existence of Pangea. Modern geology has shown that Pangea did actually exist.
Which of the following is most recent evidence of plate tectonics?
How does Hawaii show evidence of tectonic activity?
This upwelling of molten rock, known as a “hot spot,” creates volcanoes that spew out lava (magma that reaches Earth’s surface). The Hawaiian Islands were literally created from lots of volcanoes—they’re a trail of volcanic eruptions. Hot-spot volcanism can occur in the middle of tectonic plates.
What are the arguments against the theory of plate tectonics?
One major argument that some scientists had against the plate tectonic theory in the early 1960’s was the existence of volcanically active areas located in the middle of plates instead of near a subduction zone. The lack of explanation was addressed by Wilson in 1963 with his introduction of hotspots.
What does the theory of plate tectonics help to explain?
Plate tectonics is an important geologic concept as it fills in the gaps to Earth’s geologic history. The theory of plate tectonics helps explain the formation of mountain ranges, volcanism, earthquakes and the features associated with active plate boundaries.
What type of evidence do scientists use for plate tectonics?
The Theory of Plate Tectonics. The basic theory of plate tectonics is that along seafloor spreading zones,the continents are separating from one another.
What are two pieces of evidence for plate tectonics?
There are three main pieces of evidence that support plate tectonic theory the first is the age of the earth’s crust showing that new rock has been formed and it still likely to be forming. The second discovery was the magnetic variances in the basaltic rock found on the ocean floor along the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the phenomenon is now known as paleomagnetism.