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The Theory of
Continental Drift
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Lothar Wegener (November 1,
1880 – November 1930) was a German
polar researcher, geophysicist and
meteorologist who developed the first
theory of continental drift and formulated
the idea that a supercontinent known as
Pangaea existed on the Earth millions of
years ago. His ideas were largely ignored
at the time they were developed but today
they are very well accepted by the
scientific community.
Pangaea Pangaea or Pangea was
a supercontinent that existed during
the late Paleozoic and
early Mesozoic eras. It formed
approximately 300 million years ago
and then began to break apart after
about 100 million years. Unlike the
present Earth , much of the land mass
was in the Southern Hemisphere .
Pangaea was the first
reconstructed supercontinent and it
was surrounded by a super ocean ,
known as Panthalassa .
Evidence?
? ???
Apparent fit of the Continents
Evidence?
???Apparent fit of
the Continents
The coastlines of the Continents appear to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle
Fossil Correlation
Evidence?
??Apparent fit of
the ContinentsFossil Correlation
Identical Fossils have been found in the rocks on either side of the ocean
Rock and Mountain Correlation
Evidence?
?Apparent fit of
the ContinentsFossil Correlation
Rock and
Mountain
Correlation
Identical rocks and mountain structure have been found on either side of the ocean
Paleoclimate Data
Glacial Striations:
Are
Made from
this
But are found
here:
Evidence?
Apparent fit of
the ContinentsFossil Correlation
Rock and
Mountain
Correlation
Paleoclimate
Data
Coal has been found in cold regions and glacial evidence has been found in warm regions
Death of Alfred Wegener
(1880-1930)
