Gondwanaland - evidence for the theory

Gondwanaland - evidence for the theory

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about shifting continents and plate tectonics.


The diagram represents landmasses as they now appear. These landmasses originally made up the super-continent called Gondwanaland.

Scientists have used many types of evidence to support the theory of continental drift (or plate tectonics).

a) 
Use the information from the diagram above and your own knowledge to describe fully the evidence that would indicate that these landmasses were once joined, i.e., part of the super-continent of Gondwanaland.
 
  1.
 
 
 
  2.
 
 
 
  3.
 
 
 
  4.
 
 
 
b)
On the diagram of South America there is a "Z".
Put another Z on Africa at the place where these landmasses of Africa and South America were most likely joined.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Understanding about science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
Earth systems, gondwanaland, continental drift, plate tectonics
Description of task: 
For this task students are provided with a diagram showing the landmasses that originally made up Gondwanaland. Students are required to identify and use their own knowledge to indicate the evidence which indicates that these landmasses were once joined together.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask
 
Capability: Interpreting representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts.  This resource provides opportunities to discuss using models to provide evidence that supports hypotheses.
 

 

 
 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 (03/1997)
a) Any 4 of:

  • Present day distribution of beech trees links landmasses South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
  • Fossil crocodiles link South America and Africa.
  • Similar rock types are matched along the coasts when landmass South America is next to landmass Africa.
  • Similar rock types can be matched for landmasses South America, Antarctica, and Australia.
  • Ancient fossil ferns link all landmasses except New Zealand.
  • The continents match more closely when the continental shelf outline is used.
  • Sea floor spreading.
  • Paleomagnetism.
 4 correct – difficult

3 correct – difficult

2 correct – moderate

1 correct – easy
b) very difficult