The Shrinking Earth Theory Worksheet
ADVERTISEMENT
11
The Shrinking Earth Theory
Notes:
Read the article.
There have been many theories about why the Earth has
Highlight or
a wrinkled surface that is covered with mountains and
underline
deep ocean trenches. One of the main theories of the
important facts
last century was the `Shrinking Earth' theory. According
as you go.
to that theory, the Earth started off as a molten ball of
rock material, orbiting the Sun. As this ball cooled, a skin
Write a “?” next
was formed, much like skin forms on cooling custard.
to anything you
The cooled outer skin is referred to as the Crust.
don’t understand
or want to know
When things cool down, it is well known that they shrink.
more about.
This would cause the solid crust to wrinkle, in the same
way that the skin of an apple wrinkles when it has been
left for too long without being eaten. The mountain
2
ranges of the Earth were thought to be the wrinkles on
the Crust. This idea was well accepted in scientific
circles.
After you have
read the article,
The Shrinking Earth theory predicted that mountain
go back through
ranges would appear randomly all over the Earth’s
it again.
surface. It also predicted that mountains would
constantly grow higher. Another part of the theory stated
Select 3 or 4 key
that volcanoes and Earthquakes would occur at random,
terms or ideas to
all over the surface of the Earth. As with all scientific
illustrate or
ideas, eventually someone challenged it when new
summarize in the
information could not be made to fit in with the theory.
“Notes Column”.
Reflection Questions:
In your own words, explain how mountain ranges are created according to
the Shrinking Earth Theory.
_____________________________________________________________
3
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Answer the
What prediction does this theory make about the locations of mountains,
“Reflection
volcanoes, and earthquakes?
Questions”
_____________________________________________________________
using complete
_____________________________________________________________
sentences.
_____________________________________________________________
If you were going to challenge this theory, what data would you collect?
_____________________________________________________________
4
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
When told to do
_____________________________________________________________
so, cut and paste
31
the article onto
page 31 in your
notebook.
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Education