The continental drift theory is the idea that the Earths continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent called Pangaea, which later broke apart and drifted to their current positions on the Earths surface. The theory was first proposed by Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist, in 1912. Some key evidence that supports the theory of continental drift includes:
-
Fit of the continents: The coastlines of some continents, such as South America and Africa, appear to fit together like puzzle pieces.
-
Fossil evidence: Fossils of the same species have been found on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting that the continents were once connected.
-
Rock formations: Similar rock formations have been found on different continents, further supporting the idea that they were once joined together.
Despite the evidence, Wegeners theory was initially met with skepticism from the scientific community because he did not have a good explanation for how the continents moved. It wasnt until the development of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s that the idea of continental drift gained widespread acceptance. Today, the theory of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate tectonics.
