Geography

Continental Drift Theory and its evidence

Q: Why is the concept of Pangaea important in Wegener's Continental Drift Theory?

It explains the old joined form of all present continents Pangaea is the concept of an old joined landmass of all continents. Exam tip: treat Pangaea as the base of the theory.

Q: According to Wegener what was the correct name of the ocean around Pangaea?

Panthalassa Panthalassa was the vast ocean surrounding Pangaea. Exam tip: remember Pangaea for land and Panthalassa for water.

Q: The sea located between Laurasia and Gondwanaland was known by which name?

Tethys The Tethys Sea was considered between Laurasia and Gondwanaland. Exam tip: remember Tethys as the middle sea.

Q: In Continental Drift Theory the matching coasts of Africa and South America are what type of evidence?

Jigsaw fit evidence The direct answer is D: jigsaw fit evidence. Alfred Wegener used the way the coastlines of Africa and South America appear to fit together like pieces of a puzzle as an important visual clue for continental drift. The idea is not that present coastlines fit perfectly everywhere, but that the continental margins show a striking broad fit when the continents are placed together. Option D is correct because it names this shape-based evidence. Option A, glacial evidence, concerns ancient ice marks and deposits. Option B, fossil evidence, concerns the same fossils found on separated continents. Option C, mineral evidence, concerns matching rocks or minerals. Those are other evidence types, but not the matching coastline shape. Memory cue: puzzle-like coastlines = jigsaw fit.

Q: The occurrence of Mesosaurus fossils on separate continents strengthens which conclusion?

Those continents were probably connected earlier Mesosaurus was linked with freshwater so its fossils on distant continents indicate old connection. Exam tip: treat it as fossil evidence.

Q: Why are Glossopteris fossils useful in support of Gondwanaland?

Because they are found on many southern continents Glossopteris plant fossils show old connection of southern continents. Exam tip: call it plant fossil evidence.

Q: Study of tillite deposits gives which category of evidence in continental drift?

Glacial evidence Tillite is related to old glacial deposits. Exam tip: connect tillite with climatic and glacial evidence.

Q: Which forces did Wegener suggest for moving continents?

Pole fleeing and tidal forces Wegener suggested pole fleeing and tidal forces. Exam tip: remember that these forces were later considered insufficient.

Q: Pole fleeing force was linked with which Earth process?

Earth's rotation Pole fleeing force was considered related to Earth's rotation. Exam tip: place it among Wegener's proposed forces.

In Class 11 Geography, this topic explains the Continental Drift Theory within the chapter “Distribution of Oceans and Continents.” Students learn Alfred Wegener’s idea that the continents were once joined as Pangaea and gradually moved apart. They examine evidence such as the matching shapes of coastlines, similar fossils, continuous rock formations, mountain belts, and past glacial deposits found on continents now far apart. The topic also introduces the theory’s limitations and its importance in the later development of plate tectonics.

Medium · Level 1 · 25 questions

Practice questions

01Why is the concept of Pangaea important in Wegener's Continental Drift Theory?

0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. It explains the old joined form of all present continents

Pangaea is the concept of an old joined landmass of all continents. Exam tip: treat Pangaea as the base of the theory.

Continental Drift Theory and its evidence

Practice questions

02According to Wegener what was the correct name of the ocean around Pangaea?वेगेनर के अनुसार पैंजिया के चारों ओर स्थित महासागर का सही नाम क्या था?

03The sea located between Laurasia and Gondwanaland was known by which name?लॉरेशिया और गोंडवानालैंड के बीच स्थित सागर किस नाम से जाना गया?

05The occurrence of Mesosaurus fossils on separate continents strengthens which conclusion?मेसोसॉरस जीवाश्म का अलग महाद्वीपों पर मिलना किस निष्कर्ष को मजबूत करता है?

06Why are Glossopteris fossils useful in support of Gondwanaland?ग्लॉसोप्टेरिस के जीवाश्म गोंडवानालैंड के पक्ष में क्यों उपयोगी हैं?

07Study of tillite deposits gives which category of evidence in continental drift?तिलाइट निक्षेपों का अध्ययन महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन में किस श्रेणी का प्रमाण देता है?

08What was considered the main scientific weakness of Wegener's theory?वेगेनर के सिद्धांत की मुख्य वैज्ञानिक कमजोरी क्या मानी गई?

09Which forces did Wegener suggest for moving continents?वेगेनर ने महाद्वीपों को खिसकाने के लिए किन बलों का सुझाव दिया था?

10Pole fleeing force was linked with which Earth process?ध्रुवीय पलायन बल किस पृथ्वी प्रक्रिया से जोड़ा गया था?

11For tidal force whose attraction did Wegener consider important?ज्वारीय बल के लिए वेगेनर ने किसके आकर्षण को महत्वपूर्ण माना?

12According to Wegener the northern part of Pangaea was known by which name?वेगेनर के अनुसार पैंजिया का उत्तरी भाग किस नाम से जाना गया?

13India's presence in Gondwanaland indicates what?गोंडवानालैंड में भारत की उपस्थिति किस बात का संकेत देती है?

16What benefit did Continental Drift Theory receive from Plate Tectonics?महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन सिद्धांत को प्लेट विवर्तनिकी से कौन सा लाभ मिला?

17What do old glacial marks indicate in continental drift?महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन में पुराने हिमानी निशान किस बात का संकेत देते हैं?

19Why are placer deposits important in support of continental drift?महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन के समर्थन में प्लेसर निक्षेप किस कारण से महत्वपूर्ण हैं?

20In Wegener's theory continents were considered to drift over what?वेगेनर के सिद्धांत में महाद्वीपों को किस पर खिसकता माना गया था?

23What is the most correct meaning of biological evidence in continental drift?महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन में जैविक प्रमाण का सबसे सही अर्थ क्या है?

24Why is the Tethys Sea important in explaining Continental Drift Theory?महाद्वीपीय विस्थापन सिद्धांत की व्याख्या में टेथिस सागर क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है?

Was this question useful?

Student Reviews

Analytics choices

02According to Wegener what was the correct name of the ocean around Pangaea?

03The sea located between Laurasia and Gondwanaland was known by which name?

05The occurrence of Mesosaurus fossils on separate continents strengthens which conclusion?

06Why are Glossopteris fossils useful in support of Gondwanaland?

07Study of tillite deposits gives which category of evidence in continental drift?

08What was considered the main scientific weakness of Wegener's theory?

09Which forces did Wegener suggest for moving continents?

10Pole fleeing force was linked with which Earth process?

11For tidal force whose attraction did Wegener consider important?

12According to Wegener the northern part of Pangaea was known by which name?

13India's presence in Gondwanaland indicates what?

16What benefit did Continental Drift Theory receive from Plate Tectonics?

17What do old glacial marks indicate in continental drift?

19Why are placer deposits important in support of continental drift?

20In Wegener's theory continents were considered to drift over what?

23What is the most correct meaning of biological evidence in continental drift?

24Why is the Tethys Sea important in explaining Continental Drift Theory?