my brother needs help on his homework and i cant find the awnser anywhere for him!!!!?

Question

1.what evidence is there to suggest that tectonics plates move.

2.wegener formed a theory of continental drift in 1912. what prevented research of the ocean floor paleomagnetism and earthquakes at that time?

3. if many different observations can all be explained by the same theory,does that make it true?does it make it more likley.

3. how certain do you feel that plate tectonic theary is correct what evidence would you use to support yor opinion

Answer 1

1.what evidence is there to suggest that tectonics plates move.
Briefly plate tectonics suggests that the ocean floor began to spread and that the continents existed on “plates” that moved in response to the changing ocean floor. Disruption in the continents, such as earthquakes, is in response to the moving plates, suggesting that certain points of the continents are fairly constantly exhibiting tiny movements.

For example Point Reyes, in Northern California, located on the San Andreas Fault line, has been measured as slowly moving north at a rate of about half an inch per year. In fact, geologists theorize that with continued movement, Point Reyes might eventually become an island.


2.wegener formed a theory of continental drift in 1912. what prevented research of the ocean floor paleomagnetism and earthquakes at that time?

This explanation and his theory were not widely accepted. Prior to Wegener, however, many had noted that the shapes of the continents seem to fit together, suggesting some schism in the past.

Continental drift was really not allowable as even an accepted theory until the 1950s. Most geologists accepted the theory as quite possible before 1970. Several factors point to the acceptance of the continental drift theory.

Fossil records from separate continents, particularly on the outskirts of continents show the same species. As well mineral specimens along the supposed break lines of the continents are nearly identical. Some identical species exist on certain continents, like an earthworm common to both Africa and South America suggesting the species could not have spontaneously arisen on both continents without some variations.


3. if many different observations can all be explained by the same theory,does that make it true?does it make it more likley.

Not everyone accepts continental drift theory since not everyone accepts the same age for the earth. It is especially common among certain religions that endorse creationism to believe that the earth is far younger than supposed by geologists. Some of these religions also do not accept carbon dating as a way of determining earth, or fossil records being as old as scientists claim.

Most scientists, and those not believing in creationism, accept the continental drift theory, along with the theory of plate tectonics. Those endorsing the theory of intelligent design usually accept continental drift as well, but assert that a spiritual presence designed and created the earth. Continental drift theory is now taught as accepted theory in public schools throughout the US.

3. how certain do you feel that plate tectonic theary is correct what evidence would you use to support yor opinion
I believe so, Science has come a long way and are pretty accurate with their descoveries. But now the opinion is up to you.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I'm going to try and only add to other peoples answers. Sorry if I say anything they said already.

1) There's also volcanic islands like Hawaii. As the plate moves over the hot spot it forms a chain of volcanic islands which eventually start to sink.


3) I would say it made it more likely but not necessarily true. It's easy to make up a theory that fits all the observations.

plate tectonics: as far as I cna remember fro AS Geology there's:

The fit of the continents e.g. West Coast of Africa and East coast of (South?) America

The prescence of the fossils of the same organism on two continets seperated by sea. The likelyhood of these evolving independently to be the same is slim and many cannot swim or are fresh water organisms

The hot spots and volcanic islands I mentioned above

The occurance of earthquakes

Places where roads etc do no match up due to plate movement eg. places in America I think where there is a fault line and things such as pumps at petrol station don't match up when they used to and roads bend under strain.

Palaeoenvironment indicators that appear to show planet wide iceages etc make more sense when the plates are fitted back into Panagea or Gondwanaland

Glacial tillites - marks from glacial movement form curves across the planet when the plates are fitted back into gondwana land

Continents very slowly moving apart such as Europe, Africa and America.

Ridges such as the mid atlantic ridge which is spreading

Aparent Polar wander curves- difficult forme to explain here (google them) but basically the alignment of the Poles now and the alignment in the past shown in alignment of magnetic minerals do not match until continets are re fitted

Answer 3

1. Earthquakes and volcanoes mostly, if you want real time, current evidence. Metamorphic changes in rocks are evidence of past movements and pressures.
2. how about world war 1?
3. more likely. to reach the level of an accepted scientific theory, a concept must be shown by multiple independent observers. over time, and replication, eventually it is accepted as a theory, provided no one produces evidence that disproves it.
4. we can measure movement of plates relative to one another using gps and lasers. something that is measurable is hard to dispute!

Answer 4

A) Because it is tropical and only consists of Islands.