EESA06H3 Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Document Summary
Tectonics: the study of the origin and arrangement of the broad structural features of the earth"s surface including folds, faults, mountain belts, continents, and earthquake belts. Plate tectonics: the earth"s surface is divided into a few large, thick plates that move slowly and change in size; dominates geologic thought because it can explain so many features. Continental drift: continents move freely over the earth"s surface, changing their positions relative to one another. Alfred wegener - examined continents that have identical late paleozoic rocks and fossils, climates, magnetic poles supported the continental drift. Pangea continents form a giant supercontinent: laurasia northern supercontinent (north america, gondwanaland southern supercontinent, distribution of late paleozoic glaciation strongly supports the idea of pangea, examined ancient sedimentary rocks and discovered that paleoclimatic reconstructions. Paleoclimatology study of ancient climate suggested polar positions very different to those at present.
