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Description
This programme reviews the experimental evidence for drifting continents, an idea which caused a revolution in the Earth Sciences. Briefly these are (1)Paleoclimatic evidence for latitudinal drift ...(2)Paleomagnetic evidence from 'apparent polar wandering' curves (3)Fossil links between widely separated continents (4)Similar rocks and mountain chains on distant continents. The drift hypothesis is reinforced by the continued creation of new ocean floor at volcanic ridges and its destruction by subduction beneath ocean trenches. The programme shows the climatic evidence of tropical climates in the UK which led to our presently exploited resources of coal and oil. Extensive use is made of models and graphic animation to explain the dynamics of plate tectonics.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: S102, Science: a foundation course
Item code: S102; 07
First transmission date: 20-03-1988
Published: 1988
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:25:00
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Producer: Tony Jolly
Contributor: Chris Wilson
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Tectonics
Subject terms: Coal; Fossils; Oil; Continental drift; Plate tectonics
Master spool number: HOU5671
Production number: FOUS471N
Videofinder number: 1172
Available to public: no