1. Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics

2. Continental Drift Theory
First proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912:
A German meterologist
Definition: 250 million years ago, all of the continents were combined into one super-continent called “Pangaea”
The continents gradually drifted apart to where they are today
Wegner didn’t make up this theory out of the blue – like all scientists, he based it on evidence

3. Evidence Summary a) Geographic fit of South America and Africa
b) Fossils match across oceans
c) Rock types, structures, and mountain belts match across oceans
d) Ancient glacial features

4. Geographic Fit
Continents look like they could be part of a giant jigsaw puzzle
Here’s how they moved apart

5. Fossils Match
Plant and animal fossils found on the coastlines of different continents
Mesosaurus found on Africa and South America

6. Fossil Fuel in Antarctica
Tropical plant remains (coal deposits) found in Antarctica
this is evidence that Antarctica was once much warmer and much closer to the equator, since tropical plants don’t grow in Antarctica today

7. Rock Structures Match Across Oceans
Same rock patterns found in South America, India, Africa, Antarctica and Australia

8. Rock Structures Match Across Oceans

9. Ancient Glacial Features
Glaciation in Africa, South America, India, and Australia during the same time
Glossopteris fern fossils on Antarctica indicate warmer climate.

10. Ancient Glacial Features

11. More Great Science from The Science Vault
If you enjoyed this powerpoint, you might like these other best-selling products:
Chemical Bonding Go Fish: making chemical bonding less abstract and more fun; several different games allow for differentiation for all ability levels, grades 8 – 12
Scientific Method/Experimental Design Unit: a full-fledged unit with powerpoints, worksheets, and quizzes – great to start off the year, or review throughout the year
Task Cards – great for enrichment, differentiation, or to spur academic discourse in small groups
Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics Powerpoint – 50 interactive slides that introduce continental drift and plate tectonics. Includes links to websites for flash animations
The Life Cycle of Stars Powerpoint – gorgeous photos and videos bring this powerpoint alive for your students
© Jan Parker, The Science Vault, 2009 – for purchaser’s classroom use only. Please do not distribute. For more great science and class management materials, follow me at or on or head on over to my TpT store: