Question

understanding continental drift
which statement correctly summarizes wegener’s theory of continental drift?
○ the continents have always been in the same locations on the planet
○ when a meteorite crashed into earth, it broke the giant supercontinent pangaea apart
○ earth’s continents drifted across the oceans until they formed one giant supercontinent
○ over millions of years, pangaea broke apart and drifted to form the seven continents

Explanation:

Wegener's continental drift theory states that a supercontinent called Pangaea existed and over millions of years, it broke apart and the continents drifted to form the current seven continents. Let's analyze each option:

• "The continents have always been in the same locations on the planet" is incorrect as the theory says continents moved.
• "When a meteorite crashed into Earth, it broke the giant supercontinent Pangaea apart" is incorrect; the theory attributes continental drift to tectonic forces, not meteorite impacts.
• "Earth’s continents drifted across the oceans until they formed one giant supercontinent" is incorrect; the theory is about Pangaea breaking apart into continents, not continents forming Pangaea.
• "Over millions of years, Pangaea broke apart and drifted to form the seven continents" matches the theory.

Answer:

Over millions of years, Pangaea broke apart and drifted to form the seven continents.