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)