Introduction

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912, but it did not gain widespread acceptance until the 1950s. This theory posits that Earth’s continents were once united in a supercontinent known as Pangaea. Around 200 million years ago, Pangaea began to split, initiating the drift.

Pangaea first broke into two large continental masses: Laurasia in the north and Gondwanaland in the south. Subsequently, Laurasia and Gondwanaland continued to break into the various smaller continents that exist today.

Evidence that supports the theory

Fit of the Continents: The coastlines of many continents fit together like puzzle pieces, suggesting they were once joined. For example, South America and Africa fit together well.

Fossil Evidence: Fossils of the same species have been found on continents separated by oceans, indicating these continents were once connected. For example, similar fossils are found in South America and Western Africa.

Rock Formations: Similar rocks and mountain ranges found on different continents suggest they were once part of the same landmass.

Paleoclimate Evidence: The locations of ancient glacial and coal deposits suggest these areas were once in different climate zones, which only makes sense if the continents were in different places long ago.

Plate Tectonics: The theory of plate tectonics explains how the Earth’s crust moves, providing a reason for how the continents could have drifted over time.