Continental Drift and Alfred Wegener's Theory

Continental Drift Theory

Continents moved from a single supercontinent, Pangaea.

Alfred Wegener

Proposed Continental Drift Theory in early 20th century.

Pangaea

Supercontinent that existed around 335 million years ago.

Laurasia

Northern landmass formed after Pangaea's breakup.

Gondwanaland

Southern landmass formed after Pangaea's breakup.

Fossil Evidence

Identical fossils found on separate continents.

Continental Fit

Continents fit together like puzzle pieces.

Glacial Evidence

Glacial deposits found in currently warm regions.

Landforms and Rock Layers

Similar mountains and rocks found across continents.

Harry Hess

Proposed Plate Tectonics Theory in the 1960s.

Plate Tectonics

Earth's crust divided into moving plates.

Convection Currents

Movement in mantle causing tectonic plate motion.

Striations

Scratches on rocks indicating glacier movement.

Glossopteris

Fossil plant found on multiple continents.

Coal Fields

Similar coal deposits found in North America and Europe.

Supercontinent Cycle

Continents break apart and reassemble over time.

Geological Regions

Areas defined by distinct geological features.

Fossil Distribution

Species found exclusively on separate continents.

Climate Evidence

Fossils found in climates inconsistent with their origin.

Alfred Wegener's Evidence

Fossils, fit, glaciers, landforms supported his theory.

Age of Rocks

Similar ages of rocks found on different continents.

Continental Shelves

Edges of continents that fit together.

Geological Mapping

Studying Earth's surface to understand tectonic movements.

Wegener's Rejection

His theory initially dismissed due to lack of mechanism.