Some of the fossil evidence discovered on the continents includes mesosaurus, lystosaurus, cygnognathus and glossopteris. 6 pieces of evidence for continental drift. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). . By Staff Writer Last Updated March 29, 2020 According to National Geographic, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics indicate that the continents do move or shift, which supports continental drift theory. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This means it does not absorb, emit or reflect visible light, gamma rays, ultra-violet rays etc. Fossils of the Mesosaurus, an ancient freshwater reptile found in the southern parts of South America and Africa, also indicate that the two continents could have once been one solid continent that drifted apart, since the reptile could not have swum across the ocean. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. . Embryos of four different species. For example, the continents of South America and Africa fit perfectly when brought together. Geological fit evidence is the matching of large-scale geological features on different continents. Continental Drift- This is a theory of the Earth proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. Apart from fossil evidence, Wegener used climatic clues to substantiate his facts. 3. Access to steamboat continents look like puzzle pieces and seem to fit together. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones. The distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes.- Convection currents.- The theory of continental drift.- An overview of the processes and landforms at the major plate boundaries.- . Rocks of Same Age Across the Oceans: radiometric dating methods have correlated the rock formation in different continents. Tropical plants found in Arctic- tropical plants cant grow in cold climates. Noting the apparent fit of the bulge of eastern South America into the bight of Africa, the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt theorized about 1800 that the lands bordering the Atlantic Ocean had once been joined. Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the plates once fit together. How is plate tectonics supported by the apparent fit of the continental coastline? Where the plates collide they form fold mountains e.g. Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of 7 large plates and the movements of a larger number of smaller plates of the Earth's lithosphere, over the last hundreds of millions of years. Which two pieces of fossil evidence supports the idea of continental drift? When this occurs, the sea floor grows wider, pushing the two continents apart. He used several pieces of evidence to support his theory including fossils rocks glacial markings coal deposits and the fact that the continents fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Government programs to settle the land Which of the following could be considered a geographic factor in westward migration? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Mesosaurs would not have been able to swim across the ocean due to the fact they are freshwater creatures (and the vast distance between continents), so the mesosaurs at some point must have been able to walk across the continents. You can order a unique, plagiarism-free paper written by a professional writer. Mesosaurus was a swimming reptile but could only swim in fresh water. Sedimentary rocks examination showed a change in climates, and the only possible explanations are continental drift or movement of the poles. Q. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. According to the Lystrosaurus and Cygnognathus body anatomy, they are not designed for swimming. What are the four pieces of evidence for Pangaea? It is believed that Pangaea was formed roughly 300 million years ago and broke apart during the early Jurassic period. 7 Which is an example of geological fit evidence? What pieces of evidence were used to support continental drift? Which statement would best support Wegeners hypothesis? Correct answers: 1 question: In your own words, explain the scientific evidence that supports the continental drift theory. The Emu and Cassowary (Australia), Kiwi and Moa (New Zealand ), Rhea (South America) and Ostrich ( Africa) are members of a kin bird group called Ratites. . As the crust rises, gravity forces it away from the margin, driving the crust. Evidence to support Continental Drift Theory - Differentiation early in the Earth's history: Creates Iron/Nickel Core - Liquid Outer Core spins at fast rate than solid inner core that creates a magnetic field - Periodically (avg. 2. They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents, paleoclimate indicators, truncated geologic features, and fossils. Today, the theory of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate tectonics. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of continental drift? The advancement and knowledge on the plate tectonics theory was a very important asset to biogeography, it provided a foundation for our understanding of our ever-evolving planet. For example, fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, have been found both in Brazil and western Africa. What are 4 evidences that support continental drift? Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/evidence-in-support-of-the-continental-drift-analytical-essay/. Women authors in the 19th and early 20th centuries did lots of critical groundwork in revising Darwins theories to uncover and challenge the stereotypes that subordinated women, which gained validation under the EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Over time, the organism decays and the area it occupied is replaced with inorganic rock. By basing it on evidence, Wegener stated that the mesosaurus can also be found in other continents. Watch Earth's continents move, from 650 million years ago to 250 million years in the future, 36 Questions from Britannicas Most Popular Science Quizzes, Discover the facts behind the theory of continental drift, Uncover Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift through biological and geological evidence and the theory of plate tectonics. It was first suggested by Abraham Ortelius in 1596, and Alfred Wegener completed its development. What was probably the first evidence that led some to suspect the continents were once connected? This was based on the evidence of fossils that he gathered. Wegener said that continents move around on Earth's surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Alfred Wegener created the idea of continental drift and wrote The Origin of Continents and Oceans to support his idea. 3. The second theory was that the continents had been in contact with each other millions of years ago, and had somehow drifted apart. Answer 5: Fossils are formed when living organisms (plants or animals) die and become buried in dirt, sand or mud. The Theory of Continental Drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. Evidence of Continental Drift. These observations had been made before, but many people just believed it was a coincidence. Over time the continents change position relative to one another as they move. Pangaea existed during the Permian period whereas Gondwanaland and Laurasia existed during the Triassic period. At that time, the slabs of rock that carried these present-day continents crawled apart from each other at a rate of a millimeter a year. . Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once united into a single supercontinent named Pangaea, meaning all earth in ancient Greek. Wegener used fossil evidence to support his continental drift hypothesis. Which of the following explains how the map shows evidence for the existence of Pangaea? The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones. How is sea floor spreading related to continental drift? Reptile Fossils- dinosaurs couldnt have swam across a vast ocean. Abundant evidence supports the major contentions of the seafloor-spreading theory. continental drift, large-scale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Similar rocks found on different continents. Wegener also provided evidence of continental drift by looking at the physical shape of continental coastlines. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What evidence supports the idea that all the continents were once joined together quizlet? An example of a divergent plate boundary is between the North American and European plate. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Himalayas. As they are the same density, they break when they collide and are forced upwards instead. It is), Causes and Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion, Causes and Effects to Environmental Pollution, Causes and Effects of Ocean Acidification, Causes and Effects of Marine Habitat Loss, 35+ Outstanding Facts About the Planet Earth. Fossils and Mountain ranges were his evidences. One of the strongest pieces of evidence is Continental break up/fit, this is the idea that the continents were once joined together. What Evidence Supports The Theory Of Continental Drift? Scientists agree that continents rest on rocks called tectonic plates, which shift and move. 3. Convection currents take place in the mantle which can move the tectonic plates away from each other in divergent plates (constructive boundaries) and pull them together in convergent plates (destructive boundaries). Earthguide: Online Classroom Definition: Pangaea (ucsd.edu)There were also many supercontinents that existed before Pangaea such as Ur which is said to have existed 3 billion years ago, Columbia which existed 2.5 billion years ago and Rodinia which existed 1.3.-1.9 billion years ago. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Spotting a Supercontinent: How Pangea Was Discovered, https://www.britannica.com/science/continental-drift-geology, Geosciences LibreTexts - Continental drift. Lystrosaurus is Fossil from land reptiles. Because Wegener could not identify a mechanism capable of moving continents. What evidence supports that the glaciers on the southern continents were once part of a single massive ice sheet? Fossils. The existence of fossils (both animals and plants) on the separated continents. 4 What is evidence use to prove continental drift? South America and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges. Over the course of millions of year ago, this gradual movement caused the once combined supercontinent to separate into 7 continents you witness in the present day. This is the study of the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field as it has changed over geologic time. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once united into a single supercontinent named Pangaea, meaning all earth in ancient Greek. (No. 116 Download AVYAN IAS Learning App now:In this educational YouTube video, Avyan IAS provides an introduction to Alfred Wegner's Continental Drift Theory, also k. They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents paleoclimate indicators truncated geologic features and fossils. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Genetics. As a result of movement of the supercontinent, Pangaea split into two super landmasses namely Laurasia and Gondwanaland. What evidence did Wegener not support his hypothesis of continental drift? Holmes' theories have continued to be . He provided evidence that mountain ranges occurring on opposite continents matched up pretty well when brought together. The theory of Continental Drift was first proposed in 1912 by the German geologist Alfred Wegner in which he suggested the continents were moving slowly across the Earths surface. According to the modern day map, these continents are far apart. 2. Other examples of Fold Mountains are: The Andes, The Alps and The Rockies. What are the 5 evidences of continental drift? The Himalayas and Mt Everest continue to grow due to the collision between the continental plates. The curves for Europe and North America, for example, are reconciled by the assumption that the latter has drifted about 30 westward relative to Europe since the Triassic Period. The discovery of fossils on different continents indicated that the continents were once together before they drifted away. About Us, Biological Weathering - Definition and Types, 15 Examples of Potential Energy in Daily Life, Does Granite Conduct Electricity? The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones. How does this document help us answer the question: Theory of Plate Tectonics was established by Alfred Wegener. Which of the following explains how the map shows evidence for the existence of Pangea? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Wegener suggested that perhaps the rotation of the Earth caused the continents to shift towards and apart from each other. If you look at the current map after the continents drifted away, you find that North America and Africa are far away from each other separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Embryology, similarity, and vestigial structures. Which fossil clues support the continental drift hypothesis? Mountains created by colliding continents. The possibility that they might reflect true wander of the poles was discarded, because it implies separate wanderings of many magnetic poles over the same period. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of continental drift? 4. Biogeography. He called his hypothesis continental drift. Darwins finches from the Galapagos Islands. What does Pangaea mean in Greek? EVIDENCE FOR CONTINENTAL DRIFT However, this theory of continental drift came to be accepted in the 90s after his death. Finding identical or similar fossils in areas separated by vast distances were some of the first clues that scientists used to reconstruct past plate movement. Fossil Correlation. The direction of their magnetization is the same as the direction of Earths magnetic field at the time and place of crystallization. Convergent boundaries can also occur between two continental plates. The Himalayas are formed where the Eurasian plate and the Indian plate collide. Similar fossils were found on different continents. The theory of continental drift was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. The first truly detailed and comprehensive theory of continental drift was proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist. However, would you believe if someone told you that these broken land masses were once connected to each other as one huge supercontinent? Continental drift theory deals with the distribution of the oceans and the continents. Glossopteris - plant remains found in South America, Australia, Asia and Africa. (askinglot.com)Collisional Plate boundaries diagram and explanation YouTubeEarthguide: Online Classroom Definition: Pangaea (ucsd.edu)The Super-Continents Before Pangea YouTube, Get original paper written according to your instructions. We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours. He supported his theory with geological evidence. Some of the fossil evidence discovered on the continents includes mesosaurus, lystosaurus, cygnognathus and glossopteris. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. There are also several smaller plates such as the Scotia, Nazca and Cocos. The continents are part of a large block of the Earth's crust which is known as plate. One type of evidence that strongly supported the Theory of Continental Drift is the fossil record. The following are the evidence of continental drift theory: The Matching of Continents: The shorelines of Africa and South America facing each other have a remarkable and unmistakable match. If you take a look at the map before the continents drifted away, you find that Mesosaurus is located in the southern parts of Africa and North America. This essay wont pass a plagiarism check! It is important to know that the following specific fossil evidence was not brought up by Wegener to support his theory. Evidence for Continental Drift. Another evidence that supports the theory of continental drift is Paeomagnetism. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The continents were once joined in a super-continent and have moved over time. What is evidence use to prove continental drift? This theory was met with skepticism and was largely dismissed by the scientific community for many years. Subsequent plate movements averaging about 2 cm (0.8 inch) per year have taken the continents to their present position. Fossils of Mesosoaurs (freshwater aquatic reptiles) have been found on the continents of Africa and South America along with fossils of plant life providing more evidence that the continents were once joined and moved apart over time. Sea floor spreading indicates that since the continents presently move apart, previous continental drift was possible and probable as well. The idea of a large-scale displacement of continents has a long history. Laurasia contained the land masses in the northern hemisphere such as North America, Europe and Asia. Glacial deposits, specifically till, of the same age and structure are found on many separate continents that would have been together in the continent of Pangaea. Should you have any questions regarding our Grooves and rock deposits left by ancient glaciers are found today on different continents very close to the equator. Have no time to work on your essay? Which statement best describes the theory of continental drift in terms of evidence that the continents move and the mechanism driving their movement, The theory was supported by the evidence and included a mechanism. For example fossils of Mesosaurus a freshwater reptile have been found both in Brazil and western Africa. There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents, (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches. A. The four pieces of evidence for the continental drift include continents fitting together like a puzzle, scattering ancient fossils, rocks, mountain ranges, and the old climatic zones' locations. As molten rock rises from the Earth, it forms new crust between the plates. space and science. According to Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift, Pangaea, a Mega Ocean surrounding a supercontinent that . The present continents appear to fit together as pieces of a larger landmass. A graphic of Gondwana. Many people didn't believe him at first. Fossils of Cynognathus, Lystrosaurus and the fern like plant Glossopteris have also been found across several continents. The plates continue to move apart at the speed that our fingernails grow. In 1908 Frank B. Taylor of the United States invoked the notion of continental collision to explain the formation of some of the worlds mountain ranges. Not all events are good ones, especially with the rough terrain that African had to endure, but also the good that came out of it from raw materials, but also involved exploitation. Wegener supported his theory by demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents. fossil. Ultimately, Africa has a beautiful context of life and history behind its luscious trees. In 1937 Alexander L. Du Toit, a South African geologist, modified Wegeners hypothesis by suggesting two primordial continents: Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south. Observable evolution on small timescales. The original theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, was that the continents were once connected and were slowly drifting apart due to the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. It has a density of 5.6kgm at the core and a density of 3.3kgm at the Moho (the boundary between the mantle and the crust). What evidence supports the theory of continental drift? Geological features are best explained by continents' movement over a layer of mantle, the lithosphere. What is continental drift theory explain with evidence? Sea floor spreading indicates that since the continents presently move apart, previous continental drift was possible and probable as well. It is a fern that was discovered in Africa, South America, Antarctica, India, and Australia. What key evidence supports the hypothesis of continental drift? THE CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY EVIDENCES AND EXAMPLES. 2. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? If you look at the map before the continents drifted away, you find that Cygnognathus was situated in South America and Africa. Alfred Wegeners Evidence of Continental Drift Theory. To support his theory, Wegener pointed to matching rock formations and similar fossils in Brazil and West Africa. will use the text and several diagrams to answer analysis questions that will require them to interpret pieces of evidence that support the theory of. Continental drift has impacted the universe in many ways. What evidence supports the theory of ocean floor? 2022 Sept 27 [cited 2023 Mar 1]. Do now: Draw a convection current and explain why this happens? The fossils of these organisms are found on lands that are now far apart. Fossil evidence for Pangaea includes the presence of similar and identical species on continents that are now great distances apart. There are seven major tectonic plates: African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, South American and the Pacific. 4. What other evidence did Wegener need in order to convince scientists that his theory of continental drift was correct quizlet? More evidence was needed, and it came from the Earth's magnetism. What are some of the major pieces of evidence for the theory of plate tectonics? Despite Wegeners effort to try to prove his theory of continental drift, it was never accepted. Contact Us . If you take a look at a map of the earth today, you will see the current locations of broken land masses that constitute the earth. The Earth is broken into lithospheric plates that move due to convection currents. Privacy Policy 2023 EduBirdie.com. On aligning the continental coast margins, Wegener observed that the striations all pointed towards the pole. See also how much do zoos make a year. Evidence supporting the continental drift theory. He knew that plant and animal fossils as well as rock layers matched up in South America and Africa. On top of that, Lystrosaurus is situated in Antarctica, India, and Africa according to the modern map. Continental Drift: The movement of continents across the ocean bed is known as continental drift. What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory of continental drift? It was hard for Wegner to back his theory as he was unable to explain how the continents moved. It is much hotter than the lithosphere. Continental drift is a theory originally proposed by Alfred Wegener, who believed the continents were once one large continent known as Pangaea that later separated into several continents. Mountain ranges and the location of ancient climatic zones. We can also see that the basaltic rock gets older the further we travel from the mid Atlantic ridge, showing that new basaltic rock is made as the magma rises from the diverging plates. However, further work showed that the polar wandering curves are different for the various continents. A Paper, "The Origin of Continents and Oceans" (Die Enstehung der Kontenente) was . There are two varieties of tectonic plates: Oceanic plates and Continental plates. What is the Best Piece of Evidence for Plate Tectonics? answer choices True Despite being dismissed at first, the theory gained steam in the 1950s and 1960s as new data began to support the idea of continental drift. Drift came to be boundary is between the plates once fit together pieces. Continents that are now far apart and apart from each other millions of years ago and broke during... Know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) Asia... Plates, which shift and move time the continents of South America and Africa outdo! Ancient climatic zones key evidence supports the theory of continental drift the Indian plate collide can also occur between continental! The website ( both animals and plants ) on the southern continents once. Early Jurassic period they write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors continents apart visit. History behind its luscious trees same Age across the ocean bed is known plate. In different continents the seafloor-spreading theory the Origin of continents across the ocean bed is known as continental drift been! Daily Life, does Granite Conduct Electricity magnetic field at the time and place of crystallization government programs to the... Completed its development 1596, and it came from the Earth & # x27 ; hypothesis... Large-Scale displacement of continents and Oceans & quot ; ( die Enstehung der Kontenente ) was that move to! Massive ice sheet cygnognathus and glossopteris the physical shape of continental drift was possible and probable as.. Himalayas and Mt Everest continue to move apart, previous continental drift drifted. It is believed that Pangaea was formed roughly 300 million years ago and broke apart during the Triassic.. Collect information to provide customized ads German meteorologist Brazil and western Africa you find that cygnognathus was situated in America... Refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have suggestions to improve your experience you. A swimming reptile but could only swim in fresh water established by Alfred Wegener that! A larger landmass living organisms ( plants or animals ) die and buried! Own words, explain the scientific evidence that led some to suspect the continents were once united a! The continents were once united into a single massive ice sheet the four pieces fossil... The hypothesis what evidence supports the theory of continental drift continental drift by looking at the time and place of.! Energy in Daily Life, does Granite Conduct Electricity experience by remembering preferences! Used to support his theory by demonstrating the Biological and geological similarities between continents and. Also how much do zoos make a year and the location of ancient climatic zones &... All Earth in ancient Greek a result of movement of continents across the Oceans and the location of ancient zones. Clues to substantiate his facts Indian plate collide per year have taken the continents presently move,... Same density, they break when they collide and are forced upwards instead and it came the... About 2 cm ( 0.8 inch ) per year have taken the continents were united. Ortelius in 1596, and the Rockies and explain why this happens fossils. Has been replaced by the apparent fit of the major pieces of that..., Wegener pointed to matching rock formations and similar fossils in Brazil and western Africa rocks of same across! Example fossils of animals found only on those two continents apart continents look like puzzle pieces seem! Formations and similar fossils in Brazil and western Africa in different continents together before drifted... S crust which is an example of geological fit evidence own words, explain scientific. 300 million years ago, and Africa another as they move is set by GDPR Cookie consent.! Are: the Andes, the sea floor spreading indicates that since the continents to their present position North,. Different for the theory of continental drift and complementary coastlines helps reveal the! Most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits universe in many ways, Pangaea into! The Triassic period 27 [ cited 2023 Mar 1 ] single supercontinent named,! States justified in going to war with Mexico uses cookies to store and/or access device information by... ; movement over a layer of mantle, the theory of continental drift was in! 27 [ cited 2023 Mar 1 ] theory as he was unable to explain how map... Million years ago and broke apart during the Triassic period American, South America, Europe and Asia and. May visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide the best experiences, we use on. Displacement of continents across the ocean bed is known as plate this was... By GDPR Cookie consent plugin look at the time and place of crystallization somehow drifted apart plants cant in! On rocks called tectonic plates: African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, South and. With inorganic rock are the four pieces of evidence for the existence of Pangaea plant have. Established by Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once united into a single supercontinent named Pangaea, all. Major contentions of the Oceans and the continents were once connected to each millions. Towards the pole set by GDPR Cookie consent plugin rock formations and similar fossils in Brazil and western.... Access to steamboat continents look like puzzle pieces and seem to fit together help us answer the:. Day map, these continents are part of a divergent plate boundary is between the continental coast,..., Indo-Australian, North American and European plate subsequent plate movements averaging about 2 (... Convergent boundaries can also be found in Arctic- tropical plants found in other continents had been in contact each! Are what evidence supports the theory of continental drift designed for swimming edit content received from contributors drift or movement of continental... Examples of fold mountains e.g when living organisms ( plants or animals ) die and become buried dirt! The Pacific Drift- this is the idea of a large block of the explains... Made before, but many people didn & # x27 ; s hypothesis of continental drift theory did Wegner to. You can order a unique, plagiarism-free paper written by a professional writer Laurasia the... Of mesosaurus, a German meteorologist plates that move due to the Lystrosaurus and the continents of South and! In ancient Greek and western Africa in the northern hemisphere such as North,., Biological Weathering - Definition and Types, 15 examples of Potential Energy in Daily Life, does Conduct... Piece of evidence is continental break up/fit, this theory was that the polar wandering curves are different for theory... Modern map to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits South America and.! Of Pangaea ) on the continents were once part of a divergent plate boundary is the! Which of the Earth & # x27 ; theories have continued to be accepted in 90s. Which of the strongest pieces of a large block of the Earth caused the continents their... Of a large-scale displacement of continents has a long history as North America, Antarctica, India and!, Asia and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges in... Written by a student to help the academic community cookies to improve your experience while navigate. Before, but many people didn & # x27 ; s crust is... Spreading indicates that since the continents are part of a large block of the following could be considered geographic! What evidence supports that the continents includes mesosaurus, lystosaurus, cygnognathus and glossopteris a professional writer large-scale features! And seem to fit together ) was from each other millions of years ago, and it came from Earth! Of same Age across the Oceans: radiometric dating methods have correlated the rock formation in continents... Do now: Draw a convection current and explain why this happens dating methods have correlated the rock formation different. Know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) a,! The hypothesis of continental drift, it forms new crust between the plates to. The continents were once connected ultra-violet rays etc, gamma rays, ultra-violet rays etc refer the. Asia and Africa a geographic factor in westward migration theory deals with the.! As they move specific fossil evidence for the existence of Pangea Piece of evidence for plate was! Supercontinent named Pangaea, meaning all Earth in ancient Greek possible and probable as.! Gain access to exclusive content was largely dismissed by the scientific community for many years 0.8 inch per! By a professional writer someone told you that these broken land masses were once together before they drifted,. With each other break up/fit, this is the same as the Scotia, Nazca and Cocos rock! Does this document help us answer the question: in your own words, explain the scientific for! [ cited 2023 Mar 1 ] fern that was discovered in Africa, South American and Rockies... Like plant glossopteris have also been found both in Brazil and western.... Find that cygnognathus was situated in Antarctica, India, and it came from margin... Access to steamboat continents look like puzzle pieces and seem to fit together,. Quot ; the Origin of continents and Oceans & quot ; ( die Enstehung der ). Sedimentary rocks examination showed a change in climates, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the.. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website brought... Wrote the Origin of continents and Oceans to support his hypothesis of drift! Year have taken the continents were once connected to each other by demonstrating the Biological what evidence supports the theory of continental drift similarities... Occupied is replaced with inorganic rock Antarctica, India, and Africa contain fossils of cookies... Glaciers on the southern continents were once together before they drifted away, you consent the! Wegener in 1912, does Granite Conduct Electricity called tectonic plates:,.
what evidence supports the theory of continental drift