Other
An Introduction to the Abc's of Plate Tectonics
Resource presents the basics of plate tectonics, as well as a summary of the current thinking about plate tectonics and its mechanisms.
Other
Pangea: Alfred L. Wegener Biography
Two biographies of Wegener and his work including his theory on how raindrops form.
Other
San Andreas fault.org: Tectonics
Provides a good overview of plate tectonics with embedded links to related information.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Developing the Theory
This comprehensive overview of continental drift takes a historical look at the various types of evidence which led to the development of the theory.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Unanswered Questions
Discover how convection currents in the mantle are the driving force of continental drift. The reading also briefly addresses the scientists who laid the groundwork for this idea.
US Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey: Alfred Lothar Wegner
This site from the United States Geological Survey provides a description of the scientist and his accomplishments.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What Happens When Continents Collide?
Tens of millions of years ago, plate tectonics set North and South America on an unavoidable collision course that would change the face of the Earth and spell life or death for thousands of species. Juan D. Carrillo explains the massive...
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Earth on the Move
The interactive resource examines the plate tectonics, magnetic reversals, and continental drift of the Earth. An animation of the Earth's continental drift over the last 750 million years is included.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Earth's Lithosphere
The plate tectonics and other features of the Earth's lithosphere are explained and illustrated. Has links to definitions of the magnetosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Plate Tectonics
In this interactive tutorial you will learn about the theory of continental drift and why it was ultimately rejected. Then learn about the theory of plate tectonics and the evidence to support it. Lastly discover the types of boundaries...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Precambrian Continents
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How the first continents were formed.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Precambrian Plate Tectonics
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How plate tectonics caused the continents to come together to form a supercontinent.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wegener and the Continental Drift Hypothesis
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift was refined.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Alfred Wegener
Find out about the life and work of Alfred Wegener, known for his achievements in meteorology and as a pioneer of polar research, and is most remembered as the originator of the theory of continental drift.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Drifting Continents
This activity is a teacher-led demonstration of continental drift and includes a math worksheet for students involving the calculation of continental drift over time. Students will understand what continental drift is, why it occurs, and...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Faulty Movement
In this activity, students are introduced to faults. They will learn about different kinds of faults and understand their relationship to earthquakes. The students will build cardboard models of the three different types of faults as...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Earthquake Formation
Students learn about the structure of the earth and how an earthquake happens. In one activity, students make a model of the earth including all of its layers. In a teacher-led demonstration, students learn about continental drift. In...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Continental Drift
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes Wegener's continental drift hypothesis and his evidence for it.
Read Works
Read Works: Earth Science Pangaea
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Pangaea, the one continent that became the current seven continents. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
![Libre Text: Historical Perspective [Of Plate Tectonics] eBook](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/234103-98d4b1b1275bce5d294f078f4912dc14.jpg?1661815153 "Libre Text: Historical Perspective [Of Plate Tectonics] eBook")
Libre Text
Libre Text: Historical Perspective [Of Plate Tectonics]
Read here about the historical perspective of plate tectonics.
PBS
Pbs: Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker: You Try It
What can a hard-boiled egg tell you about the Earth? Check this site out to learn. Be sure to click on "Plate Tectonics activity" for a graphic representation.
Other
Paleomap Project
Virtual reality animation map showing continental drift from 200mya to the present. The animation map is small but effective in showing the positions of the land masses.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: All About Plate Tectonics
Simple discussion of plate tectonics and Pangaea. Includes maps and interactives.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: About Antarctica: Plate Tectonics
Explanation of why Antarctica has fossils of ferns, amphibians, and reptiles. Gondwanaland is discussed and shown in an interactive map.