CONTINENTAL DRIFTCONTINENTAL DRIFT

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Alfred L. WegenerAlfred L. Wegener Geologist Alfred Wegener noticed Geologist Alfred Wegener noticed

similar rocks & fossil remains were similar rocks & fossil remains were found on continents which seemed found on continents which seemed to fit togetherto fit together

He called this “super” continent He called this “super” continent called Pangaea called Pangaea

In 1912 Wegener In 1912 Wegener published the published the first version & first version & died defending died defending his theoryhis theory

Geologist Alfred Wegener noticed Geologist Alfred Wegener noticed similar rocks & fossil remains were similar rocks & fossil remains were found on continents which seemed found on continents which seemed to fit togetherto fit together

He called this “super” continent He called this “super” continent called Pangaea called Pangaea

In 1912 Wegener In 1912 Wegener published the published the first version & first version & died defending died defending his theoryhis theory

PANGAEA PANGAEAthe large landmass that included all of Earth’s

present day continentsthe large landmass that included all of Earth’s

present day continents

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

1. SHAPE OF THE CONTINENTSContinents fit together like puzzle pieces

1. SHAPE OF THE CONTINENTSContinents fit together like puzzle pieces

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

Wegener was not the only one to notice the fit of the continents.

1858: Antonio Pelligrini depicted Africa and South America connected.

He was one of the first scientists to publish maps depicting the apparent fit of the continents.

Wegener was not the only one to notice the fit of the continents.

1858: Antonio Pelligrini depicted Africa and South America connected.

He was one of the first scientists to publish maps depicting the apparent fit of the continents.

1. SHAPE OF THE CONTINENTS1. SHAPE OF THE CONTINENTS

Mesosaurus was incapable of swimming across a large ocean.

2. FOSSIL EVIDENCE2. FOSSIL EVIDENCE

SAME FOSSILS: DIFFERENT CONTINENTS

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

3. ROCK EVIDENCE – Mountain ranges3. ROCK EVIDENCE – Mountain ranges

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

SAME ROCK: DIFFERENT RANGE Existing mountain ranges separated by vast oceans contain rocks of identical mineral content.

A prime example are the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern U.S and the Caledonian Mountains in the British Isles.

SAME ROCK: DIFFERENT RANGE Existing mountain ranges separated by vast oceans contain rocks of identical mineral content.

A prime example are the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern U.S and the Caledonian Mountains in the British Isles.

SAME SCARS: DIFFERENT CONTINENTSSAME SCARS: DIFFERENT CONTINENTS

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

4. GLACIAL SCARS4. GLACIAL SCARS

5. LOCATION OF COAL DEPOSITS 5. LOCATION OF COAL DEPOSITS

Coal deposits have been found in temperate and polar regions; however, coal is formed in tropical regions.

Coal deposits have been found in temperate and polar regions; however, coal is formed in tropical regions.

Support for Continental DriftSupport for Continental Drift

CONTINENTAL DRIFT IN DOUBTCONTINENTAL DRIFT IN DOUBTWhy didn’t people believe in continental drift?

People couldn’t image how the earth could be millions of years old

People couldn’t image a force great enough to move the continents

BUT by the 1960’s evidence would prove continental drift is TRUE and…. The story continues (as does all good science!)

Why didn’t people believe in continental drift?

People couldn’t image how the earth could be millions of years old

People couldn’t image a force great enough to move the continents

BUT by the 1960’s evidence would prove continental drift is TRUE and…. The story continues (as does all good science!)