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Why were the ocean fossils found on top of the rocky mountains?
Ocean fossils found on top of the Rocky Mountains indicate that these mountains were once underwater. Millions of years ago, tectonic plate movements caused the ocean floor to uplift, forming the mountains we see today. This geological process, known as orogeny, often results in marine sediments being elevated to high altitudes, revealing the ancient marine environments that existed in those areas. Such findings provide crucial evidence of the Earth's dynamic history and the shifts in its geological features over time.
What evidence did exploration of the ocean floor reveal to further support Wegener's theory?
Exploration of the ocean floor revealed the presence of mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea trenches, and underwater mountain ranges. These features provided supporting evidence for Wegener's theory of continental drift by showing that the seafloor was in fact spreading and new crust was being formed at mid-ocean ridges. This supported the idea that the Earth's crust was not stationary but moving, as Wegener had proposed.
Why do scientists look at the ocean floor to research the mantle?
We look at the ocean floor to study the mantle because the ocean floor is made from rocks that were once part of the mantle but have be changed. These changes can be undone to a certain degree, and can allow us to study at the very least the major changes of the shallow mantle.
How does fine sediments reach the ocean floor?
Fine sediments can reach the ocean floor through various ways, such as river runoff carrying sediment from land, currents transporting sediments offshore, and particles settling from the water column. Once these fine sediments reach the ocean floor, they can accumulate over time to form sediment layers.
Why are ocean fossils found on top of Rocky Mountains?
Obviously the soil and rocks that are now on top of the mountain were once underneath the ocean. This occurs when the ground is raised up from beneath the sea by plates colliding and raising mountains.
What does coral found in Missouri tell us about past environments?
The coral is evidence that Missouri was once the floor of a shallow sea.
Are there sea shells on mountains?
Yes, some mountains were once underwater, so it's possible to find sea shells on mountains. These sea shells are typically found in areas where tectonic activities have pushed the sea floor up to form mountains.
Which piece of evidence did Alfred Wegener use to develop the theory of continental drift?
Alfred Wegener used fossil evidence, particularly the presence of identical plant and animal fossils on continents that are now separated by oceans, to develop the theory of continental drift. This suggested that those continents were once joined together.
What evidence do scientists have that continents were once joined?
Scientists have found that the coastlines of continents fit together like puzzle pieces, providing evidence for the theory of continental drift. Additionally, similarities in rock formations, fossils, and geological features across different continents support the idea that they were once connected. Magnetic stripes in the ocean floor also suggest that continents have moved over time.
Cite evidence from a land form and fossil to support the hypothesis that Africa and South America were once joined?
The similarity of the geological formations, such as the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Scotland, suggests a connection between continents, supporting the hypothesis that Africa and South America were once joined. Additionally, fossils of the reptile Mesosaurus have been found in both Brazil and South Africa, indicating that these continents were once part of a larger landmass, as this freshwater species could not have crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Together, these geological and fossil records provide compelling evidence for the theory of continental drift.
Is a mid-ocean ridge an underwater volcano?
A mid-ocean ridge is not an underwater volcano. It is a long mountain range on the ocean floor formed by plate tectonics. Underwater volcanoes, also known as seamounts, are mountains that form from volcanic activity on the ocean floor.
Along what Atlantic ocean floor feature did North America Europe South America and Africa once meet?
the north pole
