Final answer:
Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the Earth's mantle, new lithosphere forms at divergent boundaries, fossil and geological evidence support continental drift, finding fossils of the same organism on different continents suggests past connection, Pangaea was a supercontinent that broke apart, and continental drift affects climates.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. What makes tectonic plates move?
Tectonic plates move due to the process of plate tectonics. These movements occur because of convection currents in the Earth's mantle. When the hotter rock rises and reaches the lithosphere, it pushes the plates apart. Subsequently, the cooler rock sinks back down, creating a continuous cycle. This movement is driven by heat transfer within the Earth's interior.
2. Where does new lithosphere form?
New lithosphere forms at the boundaries of tectonic plates, known as divergent boundaries. These boundaries are created when two tectonic plates move away from each other. As they separate, magma rises from the asthenosphere to fill the gap between the plates. As the magma cools, it solidifies and forms new lithosphere.
3. Give two types of evidence for continental drift with an example of each type.
Two types of evidence for continental drift are fossil evidence and geological evidence. Fossil evidence involves finding the same or similar fossils of organisms on different continents that are now separated by large expanses of water. For example, the presence of identical fossils of the freshwater reptile Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa suggests that these continents were once connected. Geological evidence involves matching geological features, such as mountain ranges and rock formations, across different continents. An example would be the alignment of the Appalachian Mountains in North America with the Caledonian Mountains in Europe, indicating that these two continents were once joined.
4. What does it suggest when scientists find fossils of the same organism on different continents?
Finding fossils of the same organism on different continents suggests that those continents were once connected or in close proximity. These organisms would not have been able to migrate across vast oceans, so their presence on separate continents implies that those continents were once part of a larger landmass. This is consistent with the theory of continental drift, which suggests that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent.
5. What was Pangaea and how does it relate to the continents today?
Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed around 300 million years ago. It encompassed almost all of Earth's landmasses, with the continents we see today as separate entities. Over time, Pangaea began to break apart, leading to the formation of the current continents. The concept of Pangaea helps to explain how the continents fit together like puzzle pieces, supporting the theory of continental drift. (
The Panama Bridge question is unrelated to the previous questions and is skipped in this answer.)
How did continental drift cause climates to change?
As continents move and drift apart, their positions on the globe change. This movement affects ocean currents, atmospheric circulation patterns, and the distribution of landmasses. These changes can alter the climates of regions. For example, when Antarctica was connected to other landmasses, it experienced a more temperate climate. As it moved to its current position near the South Pole, it became much colder. Continental drift plays a significant role in shaping the Earth's climate.
Learn more about Plate Tectonics