earth science chap. 7 sec2
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8 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 continental drift | the hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations - Alfred Wegner |
| sea floor spreading | the process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms as magma rises toward the surface and solidifies |
| pangaea | the name of the single landmass that broke apart 200 million years ago and gave rise to today's continents |
| gondwana | the southern section of pangea after it broke apart; known today as Africa, S. America, Antarctica, Australasia, India |
| laurasia | the continental mass that formed the northern portion of Pangaea, consisting of present-day North America and Europe, and Asia |
| magnetic reversals (sea floor spreading) | when the earth's magnetic poles change places. The magnetic reversals can be measured by testing minerals in mid-ocean ridges. |
| mid-ocean ridges | a worldwide system of underwater mountain chains that run through Earth's ocean basins |
| where does seafloor spreading occur? | mid-ocean ridges |
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