Summary:

Alfred Wegener was a well-known meteorologist studying the jet stream and its impacts on weather.
Lystrosaurus, a fossilized animal that once lived in tropical climates, can be found in many
non-tropical spots. When Wegener heard this, he theorized that the continents were once in a
different arrangement than they are now, and that they have moved. He didnt have enough
evidence, so many scientists disregarded the theory. But, years later, the Glomar Challenger
mapped out the ocean floor to discover that new crust was forming at the oceanic ridge do to
volcanic activity. His hypothesis was correct. Movement of the plates would impact climate because
land would be shifted to new climate zones, altering life for plants and animals.

1. Was Wegener considered a trustworthy authority? Why or why not?

Wegener was considered a trustworthy authority in the field of meteorology. He received a PhD and
was invited to study the jet streams in Greenland. He researched and wrote about meteorology
throughout his career, which gave him credibility. However, when it came to geology, he had no
credibility.

2. What was the evidence for his claim that continents were drifting?
Fossils that were specific to a certain area or climate in Earths past were found in strange places.
For example, the lystrosaurus, an animal of tropical climates, can be found in the fossil records of
Africa, India, or even Antarctica. These fossils were inexplicably out of place.

3. Explain the logic he offered to support his claim.

Wegener concluded that the only logical explanation was that these land masses were once
connected, and moved apart over time.

4. While Wegener's theory and even a lot of his evidence made logical or intuitive sense
to many people, what was missing? Why did he fail to gain the support of scientists while he
was alive?

His theory lacked the appropriate evidence. Although the mystery of misplaced fossils helped his
theory, it didnt confirm it. Wegener needed concrete data, something that he couldnt collect
because the field tools of his time were very primitive.

5.

What was the logic (and evidence) that finally confirmed Wegener's theory.

The Glomar Challenger was a part of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. This vessel would retrieve rock samples
on the ocean floor and test a hypothesis. They predicted that the age of the rocks in comparison to their
position away from the oceanic ridge would hold the key to the hypothesis solidification. This could be
proven if the rocks at the oceanic ridge were newly forming and youngest, while the rocks furthest away
from the oceanic ridge were the oldest. Their hypothesis was correct, which confirmed Wegeners theory.

6.

If continents can move to different latitudes over very long periods of time (100's of

millions of years) how might that change affect plants and animals? Choose one particular
spot in the video animation that follows below the text and describe how the movement of the
plates might affect climate.
The movement of the plates would change the positioning of certain land spots on Earth. This
means that land would be shifted to different climate zones that would suit different plants and
animals than those in the lands original position. Also, over the 100s of millions of years, land would
expand or be submerged underwater, changing the amount of habitat for species. Therefore, the
shifting of the continents would change climate and habitat space, altering the comfort of many
organisms and spurring the evolution of new, adapting species.