Nativity Prep Academy NAME:
6th grade Science
Pangaea Worksheet
Read the following information about the moving plates. Then complete the activity and questions below.
According to the Continental Drift Theory, the continents once formed a giant landmass named Pangaea. It wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that scientists began to explain how the continents were able to move with their discovery of the midocean ridges and sea-floor spreading. According to this new theory, the Theory of Plate Tectonics, sea-floor spreading widened the Atlantic Ocean and separated Pangaea into the continents, as we know them today.
Your task is to reconstruct a model of Pangaea using the continents of today.
1. Each group member will roughly cut out the continents.
2. Try and fit the continents into one large landmass, similar to a jigsaw puzzle. The fit will not be perfect.
3. When you have the best fit, glue your pieces down on the blank sheet of paper.
4. Answer the following questions:
1) Which two continents have the best fit?
B) Why is the fit not perfect if the continents were all once part of Pangaea? Suggest at least two reasons.