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Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics — Revision Notes

ICSE · Class 11 · Geography

Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics revision notes for ICSE Class 11 Geography: 4 topics in quick points.

45 questions34 flashcards5 concepts

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Key Topics to Revise

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1. Wegener's Continental Drift Theory

  • Alfred Wegener was a German scholar and meteorologist who put forward the theory of drifting of continents in 1912 and revised it in 1924.
  • He studied global climatic changes in the past and connected them with the movement of continents.
  • Wegener observed the jig-saw-fit of the Atlantic coastlines.
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2. Evidence for Continental Drift

  • Wegener used several kinds of evidence to support continental drift.
  • The ancient mountain belt is 470 to 350 million years old and is now separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Gold deposits in Ghana coast alluvium do not have local source rocks, but matching gold veins are found in Belen Sau Brazil across the Atlantic.
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3. Criticism of Wegener's Theory

  • Wegener's theory was criticised on several grounds.
  • The jig-saw-fit is not as complete as claimed; South America and Africa leave a gap of about 15°.
  • F.B. Taylor deduced an outward radial drift from the poles, which differed from Wegener's idea of westward and equatorward drift.
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4. Sea Floor Spreading

  • Sea-floor spreading explains how new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges.
  • Molten rocks rise through cracks on the ocean floor and form new crust.
  • The ocean floor spreads away from the ridge and the ocean basin widens.

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Full Notes

Key Concepts

Alfred Wegener proposed in 1912Pangaea was the supercontinent formedLaurasia was the northern partWegener used the jigThe theory was criticised because

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics for ICSE Class 11 Geography?
Key topics in Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics include Wegener's Continental Drift Theory, Evidence for Continental Drift, Criticism of Wegener's Theory, Sea Floor Spreading. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on Drifting of Continents and Plate Tectonics. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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