Exam 2: Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory

Tropical climates existed in the past on continents which are now located in polar areas.

___________is the name Wegener proposed for the supercontinent that was comprised of all of the continents.

Briefly compare and contrast the explanations for the types of convection and gravity mechanisms which are proposed to drive plate motions.

Rates of plate motion are best determined by

Alfred Wegener proved the theory of continental drift on the basis of the geographic fit of the continents, paleontological, and geological evidence.

Name the geophysicist who, along with his associates, discovered apparent polar wandering:

How do certain rock types record the locations of past magnetic poles?

A___________ plate boundary runs through the state of California and it is named the___________ ___________ fault.

The scientist who is credited with first seriously proposing continental drift earlier this century was___________ ___________ .

___________within the___________ is believed to be the mechanism for plate movement.

The California coast contains a convergent boundary.

What are the names of the plates on either side of the plate boundary which passes through the state of California?

Supercontinents like Pangea will form in Earth's future.

Where do island arcs form?

A___________ plate boundary is a collisional boundary between two plates, in most cases where plate subduction is occurring.

Explain the differences between continental drift and plate tectonics.

What was the argument against the proposal that the coastline fit of South America and Africa was evidence of continental drift?

What is proposed as the cause of the break up of the supercontinents?

What is the name of the northern landmass which Alexander du Toit proposed was located at the equator while Gondwana was at the South Pole?

There is a convergent plate boundary off the east coast of Japan.