Back to the full dot-point answer
NSWEarth and Environmental ScienceQuick questions
Module 5: Earth's Processes
Quick questions on Evidence for plate tectonics: HSC Earth and Environmental Science Module 5
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is continental fit?Show answer
The coastlines of continents, and even better their continental shelves, fit together like puzzle pieces. South America and Africa are the classic match, but the southern continents, including Australia, Antarctica, India and Africa, also reassemble into the supercontinent Gondwana. Fit alone is suggestive rather than conclusive, which is why other evidence matters.
What is ancient climate evidence?Show answer
Rocks carry the fingerprint of the climate in which they formed. Glacial deposits and scratches (striations) of late Palaeozoic age occur in now-tropical India and Africa as well as in Australia, showing these regions once sat near the South Pole together. Coal seams, formed in warm swamps, are found in places now far too cold, recording the drift of continents through different climate zones.
What is vague Australian link?Show answer
State that Australia was part of Gondwana, separated from Antarctica around 45 to 50 million years ago, and still moves north-east.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain how the distribution of Glossopteris fossils supports continental drift. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Describe how magnetic stripes on the ocean floor provide evidence for sea-floor spreading. [4 marks]
Have a question we have not covered?
This dot-point answer is short enough that we have not extracted many short questions yet. Read the full dot-point answer or ask Mo, our study assistant, in the chat for follow ups.