How Did the Continents Move?

Name: Date: Period:

How Did The Continents Move?

We now that Wegner’s hypothesis that the continents were once one large landform named Pangaea is true. However, we do not know how the continents got to their current day locations. You are going to try to explain why the continents move.

Initial Model: Create a model of how you think the continents move. Evidence #1 – Convection Current Models

Based on the demonstration of paper clippings and their motion in the boiling water and the video we watched as a class, answer the questions below.

Questions: 1. Describe a convection current:

Evidence #2: Sea Floor Map (from usgs.gov)

The following map shows the age of the seafloor color-coded by age.

Questions:

2. Where is the oldest seafloor? Where is the newest seafloor?

3. Why do you think there different ages of the seafloor? _

4. Evidence Goodness Rating?

5. Why did you give this evidence the rating above? Give reasons using the strong evidence criteria.

Geochronology Map – Age of the Seafloor

Deep Red – Newest Red – Newer Yellow – Middle aged Green – Older Light Blue – Old Dark blue - Oldest Evidence 3: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Map of The Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Iceland

Photo of The Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Iceland

Video of The Mid-Atlantic Ridge

On your teacher’s webpage, click on the video of the Iceland video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQ48RgX6Q8

Questions: 6. What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? _

7. What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge doing to the country of Iceland? _

8. Evidence Goodness Rating: Evidence #4 – The Himalayas

Diagram of the Movement of India Year Height (mm) 2011 8848029 mm (8848.029 m) 2012 8848034 mm (8848.034 m) 2013 8848039 mm (8848.039 m) 2014 8848044 mm (8848.044 m) 2015 Height of the Himalayas

Questions:

9. What do you observe about the country of India over the

last 71 million years? _

10. How much have the Himalayas grown each

year since 2011? (What is the pattern over each year)

11. What do you predict will be the height of

the Himalayas in 2015? Fill in your estimation in the data

table above.

12. Evidence Goodness Rating: Evidence #5 – Air Plane Travel

Flights between US and London may become more expensive:

Current Cost (United Airlines) = $1,078 Cost in 3013 = $3,578

Refer back to the map of the Mid Atlantic Ridge pictured in evidence 3.

13. Why do you think the cost has increased so much? (Do NOT take into account the fact that the cost of living increases) ______

* Hint: The 3013 price is based on increasing the price $1 for every centimeter.

Questions: 14. What does this evidence tell you about the speed at which the continents are moving?

15. Evidence Goodness Rating:

Evidence #6 – Movement of the Mantle View the video on your teacher’s web page on movement of the mantle.

Questions:

16. Explain what is happening to the Earth’s crust and the mantle in the video. What is happening

to them in relation to each other.

17. Evidence Goodness Rating:

Final Model Create a model of how you think the continents move using the evidence you learned about. Be sure to include data from at least 2-3 pieces of evidence to support your idea.