The Theory of Continental Drift

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The Theory of Continental Drift
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Continental Drift Theory

• Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912.
• 250 million years ago, all of the continents were
  combined into one super-continent called
  Pangaea.
• The continents gradually drifted apart to where
  they are today.

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Evidence to Support the Theory
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Puzzle Pieces

• Continents look like they could be part of a
  giant jigsaw puzzle.

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Distribution of Fossils

• Plant and animal fossils found on the coastlines
  of different continents.

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Sequence of Rocks

• Same rock patterns found in South America, India,
  Africa, Antarctica and Australia.

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Ancient Climates

• Tropical plant remains (coal deposits) found in
  Antarctica.
• Glaciation in Africa, South America, India, and
  Australia during the same time.

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Problems With The Theory

1. No mechanism for movement of continents.
2. Wind and currents could possibly move fossils.
3. Theory was not accepted by scientists.