Plate TectonicsPlate Tectonics

Drifting ContinentsDrifting Continents

PangaeaPangaea

The Earth once had a single landmass that broke up into large pieces, which have since drifted apart. This giant landmass in the past was called

Pangaea(pan=all, gaea=land or earth)

The Earth once had a single landmass that broke up into large pieces, which have since drifted apart. This giant landmass in the past was called

Pangaea(pan=all, gaea=land or earth)

PangaeaPangaea

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PangaeaPangaea

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Alfred WegenerAlfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener was a German scientist who was able to explain a scientific case to support the Pangaea theory.

He called this theory the

Theory of Continental Drift.

Alfred Wegener was a German scientist who was able to explain a scientific case to support the Pangaea theory.

He called this theory the

Theory of Continental Drift.

Alfred Wegener(1880-1930)

Alfred Wegener(1880-1930)

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EvidenceEvidence

Evidence to support this theory comes from fossils, the preserved remains of ancient organisms.

Evidence to support this theory comes from fossils, the preserved remains of ancient organisms.

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EvidenceEvidence

Similar fossils, such as Glossopteris, an ancient plant, have been found in Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.

The seeds of this plant could not have traveled the great distance between continents.

Similar fossils, such as Glossopteris, an ancient plant, have been found in Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.

The seeds of this plant could not have traveled the great distance between continents.

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EvidenceEvidence

This suggests that these places were once closer together.

This suggests that these places were once closer together.

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EvidenceEvidence

Another form of evidence comes from rocks.

Rock formations in Africa line up with matching ones from South America.

Another form of evidence comes from rocks.

Rock formations in Africa line up with matching ones from South America.

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