1. The Theory of Continental Drift

2. Continental Drift Theory 250 million years ago, all of the continents were combined into one super-continent called “Pangaea” Upper half was “Laurasia” Lower half was “Gondwanaland” The continents gradually drifted apart to where they are today

3. Alfred Wegener German meteorologist who first proposed the theory in 1912.

4. Evidence to Support the Theory

5. 1. “Puzzle Pieces” Continents coastlines fit together like puzzle pieces. Click here & try!

6. 2. Mountain Ranges Mountain ranges on different continents connect & continue.

7. 3. Sequence of Rocks Same rock patterns found in India, Africa, South America, Antarctica & Australia

8. 4. Fossil Evidence Plant & animal fossils found on the coastlines of different continents The plant G lossopteris is found on every continent.

9. 5. Glacial Evidence Glaciation in Africa, South America, India, & Australia during the same time

10. 6. Coal Deposits Tropical plant remains (coal deposits) found in Antarctica

11. Problems With The Theory No mechanism for movement of continents Wind and currents could possibly move fossils Theory was not accepted by scientists