By Alfred Wegener

scientists have been gathering data in support of the Continental Drift Theory for a very long time In 1912 first proposed… 200 million years ago the Earth had only one giant continent (Pangaea), from which today's continents broke apart and drifted into their current locations. Continental Drift Theory & Evidence

Wegener’s evidence: 1.fit of the continents 2.the distribution of fossils 3.similar rocks sequences in different places 4.A) ancient climates (glaciers & coal) B) traveling of the Earth's polar regions

The continents look as if they were pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle could fit together to make one giant super- continent. 1. The Shapes Match The bulge of Africa fits the shape of the coast of South America.

physically impossible for most of these organisms to have traveled or have been transported across the vast ocean. 2. The Plants & Animals Match plant fossils of late age found on several different continents were similar suggests that they evolved together plants & animal fossils found on the matching coastlines (South America & Africa) My most compelling evidence

These broad belts then match when the end of the continents are joined. 3. The Rocks Match Broad belts of rocks in Africa and South America are the same type.

4a. The Ice Matches About 300 million years ago… continental ice sheet covered parts of: South America southern Africa India southern Australia Glacial striations (scratches) on rocks show that glaciers moved from Africa toward the Atlantic Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean onto South America

4b. The Positions Don't Match why is no evidence found for ice in the northern continents? Simple! northern continents were at the equator at 300 million years ago. discovery of fossils of tropical plants (in the form of coal deposits) in Antarctica conclusion that this frozen land previously was closer to the equator ( warmer/wet climate = swampy vegetation could grow = COAL)

Why Few People Believed not accepted by the science community of his day. Hard to believe--- large continents plowing through the sea floor. What kind of forces could be strong enough to move continents for far? DRIFTING??? I THINK NOT!!!!