University of California
Ucmp: Wegener (1880 1930)
Complete biographical information with links to his theories. Contains links to interactives on plate tectonics.
![Story Behind the Science: Development of a Mechanism for Continental Drift [Pdf] Article](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Story Behind the Science: Development of a Mechanism for Continental Drift [Pdf] Article")
Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Development of a Mechanism for Continental Drift [Pdf]
Article describing the history of scientific theories about continental drift, and the major researchers involved in this work.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Great Continental Drift Mystery
A unit on plate tectonics designed for middle school students, this page must be read carefully to find the activities to be done in the class, but it provides a wealth of background for the teacher as well.
Geographypods
Geographypods: Theme 2: Natural Environments
A rich collection of highly engaging learning modules on topics related to the natural environment. Covers four main areas - plate tectonics, forms and processes, weather and climate, and rainforest and desert. Within each of these,...
Other
Paleoclimate Animation
This animation allows you to see how the continent's climates changed as they drifted throughout history.
Other
Paleomap Project: Earth History
The PALEOMAP Project illustrates the plate tectonic development of the ocean basins and continents, as well as the changing distribution of land and sea during the past 1100 million years. Includes virtual 3D paeloglobes.
Other
Hartao: An Introduction to Plate Tectonics
Introduces South African Alexander Toit as naming Gondwanaland and Laurasia.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Plate Tectonics: The Origin of Plate Tectonic Theory
Discover Alfred Wegner's ideas relating to continental drift and seafloor spreading which are both evidence to the concept of plate tectonics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Episd: Biogeography
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Why connect biology and geography? This module will provide resources for students to understand continental drift theory, human population and its distribution, and...
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Plate Tectonics Ii: Plate Boundaries and Forces
Instructional module focusing on plate tectonics. Discussion includes plates, plate boundaries, and driving forces. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the topic.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Dynamic Planet
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about our dynamic planet. These inquiry-based explorations investigate scientific models, earthquakes and seismic waves, Earth's interior, Earth movements, the lithosphere, plate...
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Plate Tectonics I: Geologic Revolution
Instructional module focusing on the development of plate tectonic theory. Discussion includes the evidence of Pangaea, and the processes of seafloor topography and seafloor spreading. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and...
NASA
Nasa: Alfred Wegener
An excellent biography of Wegener that includes his breakthrough work and the storm of controversy it created. Finally, Alfred Wegener has gotten the praise and recognition he deserved.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Gps Measuring Plate Motion [Pdf]
This resource looks at how geologists are able to measure the movement of tectonic plates using satellite-based data and how they were able to surmise in the past that the plates were moving. It also discusses how to read GPS time-series...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Living Lab: The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Working in pairs, students think like engineers and connect what they understand about the theory of plate tectonics to the design of structures for earthquake-resistance.
The Field Museum
Field Museum: Exhibits: Evolving Planet: Tertiary
Delve into the Tertiary Period portion of the Evolving Planet exhibit, and trace the climate and continental shift during this time. Includes an overview of the period, a collection of images, and a look at the Tertiary Period's...
NASA
Nasa: Magnetic Reversals and Moving Continents
This site gives a good overview of magnetic reversals. Discusses continental drift, ocean floor magnetism, and sea-floor spreading.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Fossil Distribution
One of the first lines of evidence suggesting the existence of plate tectonics was the discovery of very similar fossils in rock masses separated by vast distances and by ocean expanses. It suggested that those land areas had in the past...
University of California
Ucmp: Continental Drift
This interactive view of drifting continents will help you relate their positions to particular geologic eras. You can get detailed information on each of the eras as well.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Continental Drift
A brief Wikipedia encyclopedia article on continental drift. It tells what continental drift is, what causes it, and gives examples of evidence that continental drift has occurred.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Pangaea Pop Up
Michael Molina discusses the catalysts and consequences of continental drift. [4:25]
PBS
Mountain Maker Earth Shaker
This resource gives an introduction to the theory of plate tectonics. It also has animations of four types of plate boundary interactions (convergent, divergent, transforming, collisional).
PBS
Continents on the Move
Scientists believe that all the continents were once combined in one supercontinent. That means that the continents must be moving. Find out how scientists can measure the movement of whole continents!
PBS
Nova: Gondwana Breakup
Watch the supercontinent Gondwana breakup into today's continents. The animation starts 150 million years ago and also shows the projected locations of the continents 50 million years into the future.