Name

Date
Picturing Pangaea
Scientists think that about 250 million years ago, all the continents were joined into one single
land mass called Pangaea. What happened to this supercontinent?
Study each picture below. Then read the facts about the continents’ movements. Color the circle
with the number of the picture that matches each fact.

Panthalassa Laurasia
Ocean
Tethys
Sea
Pan
Tethys
equator equator Sea

Go
ga
Panthalassa
Ocean dw

n
ea

an
al a
nd

1—about 250 million years ago 2—about 120 million years ago

rth
No erica Eurasia North Europe Asia
Am America
Atlantic Pacific
Ocean Africa
Ocean
equator equator
Africa
South
India South
America Pacific America Indian Australia
Ocean Ocean
a
ali
str
Au
Antarctica Antarctica

3—about 65 million years ago 4—today

1. Pangaea sits alone in a huge ocean of water called Panthalassa. 1 2 3 4

2. The two continents are named Gondwanaland and Laurasia. 1 2 3 4

3. India is connected to Asia. 1 2 3 4

4. This is the first time period in which Australia and Antarctica have drifted apart. 1 2 3 4

5. The continents begin as one supercontinent called Pangaea. 1 2 3 4

6. The continents exist as we know them today. 1 2 3 4

7. Gondwanaland has split, and Africa and South America have appeared. 1 2 3 4
India has broken away from Africa but is not connected to Asia.

8. This is the last time period during which Eurasia and North America remain 1 2 3 4
joined.

9. The Tethys Sea has split Pangaea into two continents. 1 2 3 4

10. The North Atlantic Ocean has split Eurasia and North America. 1 2 3 4

Bonus Box: The theory of how the earth’s continents move over its surface is continental drift. In
your own words, describe the continental drift theory using the illustrations and ideas from above.

©The Education Center, Inc. • Teacher’s Helper ® • TEC48009 • Oct/Nov 2003 The Changing Earth: continental drift theory 45
 How to Use This Unit
The Changing Earth (Pages 45–52)
The features that make up the face of the earth seem
so solid and steady, yet they are changing every day. Use
the reproducible skill builders in this unit to help students
find out what causes the gradual and sometimes
dramatic changes in Mother Earth’s appearance.
Duplicate pages 45, 47, 49, and 51 for students to
complete during your study of the earth. These activities
can be completed independently, with partners, or in small
groups.

Answer Key

1. Pangaea sits alone in a huge ocean of water called Panthalassa. 1 2 3 4

2. The two continents are named Gondwanaland and Laurasia. 1 2 3 4

3. India is connected to Asia. 1 2 3 4

4. This is the first time period in which Australia and Antarctica have drifted
apart. 1 2 3 4

5. The continents begin as one supercontinent called Pangaea. 1 2 3 4

6. The continents exist as we know them today. 1 2 3 4

7. Gondwanaland has split, and Africa and South America have appeared. 1 2 3 4
India has broken away from Africa but is not connected to Asia.

8. This is the last time period during which Eurasia and North America 1 2 3 4
remain joined.

9. The Tethys Sea has split Pangaea into two continents. 1 2 3 4

10. The North Atlantic Ocean has split Eurasia and North America. 1 2 3 4

Bonus Box: Answers may vary. Accept reasonable responses.

46 The Changing Earth: continental drift theory