Theory of Continental Drift Cornell Notes Pg. 91

The Theory of Continental Drift Alfred Wegener (1910) Claimed all the continents were once joined together and have drifted apart

Wegener’s Evidence 1. Shape of Continents Continents seem to fit together like a puzzle

Wegener’s Evidence 2. Fossil Evidence Same species of ancient plants/animals found in many different continents unlikely they evolved on two separate continents, and couldn’t travel across oceans *Counter-claim suggests “land bridges” connected continents, but there is no evidence of this.

Wegener’s Evidence 3. Climate Record Plant fossils found in Antarctica Glacial Scarring- Ice Scratches from glaciers match up across continents, including S. America and Africa

Wegener’s Evidence 4. Rocks Mountain ranges match up Rock types/ages match in areas that align with other continents Same lava flow formed rocks

Wegener’s DATA

Pangaea Continents were joined together in one land mass “The super continent” 245 mya

Which way are the continents moving today?