 1912 German scientist Alfred Wegener proposed

Continental Drift Theory

 all of Earth’s landmasses had once been
connected, but had been drifting apart ever since
 He came up with the theory of continental drift
after observing how all of Earth’s landmasses seem
to fit with each other when brought together.
 the continents were once a part of landmass called
Pangaea which split apart and the continents
moved away from each other toward their current
positions.
 His studies concluded that at one time all the
continents were joined together in one land mass
called Pangaea. Pangaea is a Greek word which
means “All Earth.”
 1. Laurasia was the name given to the northern part
of Pangaea.
 2. Gondwanaland was the name given to the
southern part of Pangaea.
 Wegener had 5 pieces of evidence to prove his
continental drift theory:
1. PUZZLE PIECES. The continents, especially South
America and Africa, seemed to fit together like a
puzzle.
2. FOSSIL EVIDENCE. Wegner noticed that plant and
animal fossils were found on different continents.
 Cynognathus was a land reptile so it could not have
swam across an ocean, and yet its fossil remains are
found on both sides on the Atlantic.
 Glossopteris can be found in Antarctica even though
its present day climate is too cold for plant life. This
indicates that Antarctica was much closer to the
equator at some point in its geological past.
3. ROCK EVIDENCE. Huge belts of rocks found in
Africa and South America were identical. Not only
were they the same, but they would match up (age,
thickness, types) if the continents were put together.

Matching Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains that disappear off the
coast of Newfoundland match mountains in the British
Isles and Scandinavia which are comparable in age and
structure.
4. GLACIER EVIDENCE. There is proof that glaciers
moved from Africa, through the Atlantic Ocean, and
then on towards South America.
5. CLIMATE EVIDENCE. Warm weather plants have been
found in the Arctic. Glacier deposits have been discovered in
tropical and desert locations. The continents had to have
been at different locations in the geological past.
 Scientists thought this theory was outrageous because even
though Wegener had evidence of one large land mass, he
didn’t have the answers to what force (engine) “floated the
plates.” He was laughed at and did not live to see his theory
get accepted.
 Although Wegener amassed ample evidence in support of
his theory, because he did not have a mechanism for
continental drift, it was largely rejected until 1960, when
Harry Hess proposed the theory of seafloor spreading.
Activity 3: The Earth’s Mechanism
1. Based on the previous map, where can you find the
fossils of the Glossopteris?
2. What does this indicate? (refer to item 1)
3. Where can you find the fossils of Mesosaurus?
4. What does it tell about the initial location and
position of the places where this animal found?
5. Which among the continents do you think were once
neighbor before?
6. What are the five evidences of Wegener that prove his
continental drift theory?
7. What is all about the continental drift theory?