The document discusses the continental drift theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, which suggested that all continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea. Wegener's theory, supported by evidence such as the fit of continental shapes, fossil similarities, and geological formations across continents, was initially disregarded by scientists due to a lack of explanation for the mechanisms of drift. Despite facing skepticism and not living to see his ideas gain acceptance, his work laid the foundation for modern plate tectonics.

1. THE EARTH`S MECHANISM:
Continental Drift

2. CONTINENTAL DRIFT
•Alfred Wegener was one of several people who thought
the continents looked like they fit together, so he
proposed the continental drift theory in 1912.
•Wegener was a meteorologist and astronomer so
needless to say other scientists thought he was out of his
field of study.

3. •His studies concluded that at one time all the continents
were joined together in one land mass called Pangaea.
1. Laurasia was the name given to the northern part
of Pangaea
2. Gondwanaland was the name given to the
southern part of Pangaea

4. •Scientists thought this
theory was outrageous
because even though
Wegener had evidence
of one large land mass,
he didn’t have the
answers to what force
(engine) “floated the
plates”. He was laughed
at and did not live to see
his theory accepted.
This animation begins with the
continents in their present
location, and then moving back
in time to form PANGAEA. The
circles represent fossil evidence
that Wegener used to prove his
Continental Drift Theory.
PANGAEA means “all land”

5. WHERE’S THE EVIDENCE
Wegener had pieces of evidence to prove his
continental drift theory:
1. PUZZLE PIECES:
The continents, especially South America and Africa,
seemed to fit together like a puzzle.

6. 2. FOSSIL EVIDENCE:
Wegner noticed that plant and animal fossils were found
on different continents.
• Do you think they swam all the way across the oceans?
NO!
• This would lead people to believe that the continents
were once joined.
Glossopteris…seed much to
large to be windblown
Mesosaurus…lived in fresh
water and could not have
lived in salt water

8. 3. ROCK EVIDENCE:
Huge belts of rocks found in
Africa and South America
were identical. Not only
were they the same, but
they would match up (age,
thickness, types) if the
continents were put
together.
Matching Mountains
The Appalachian
Mountains that disappear
off the coast of
Newfoundland match
mountains in the British Isles
and Scandinavia which
are comparable in age
and structure.

9. 4. GLACIER EVIDENCE:
There is proof that glaciers moved from Africa, through
the Atlantic Ocean, and then on towards South
America. This would be much easier if the Atlantic
Ocean were not there

10. Glacial Striations…Scratches glaciers leave
on rocks as they travel

11. 5. COAL DEPOSITS:
•Coal beds were formed from the compaction
and decomposition of swamp plants that lived
million years ago
•How is a coal bed formation possible in
Antarctica?
•Antarctica once experienced a tropical
climate, thus, it might have been closer before to
the equator.

12. 6. CLIMATE EVIDENCE:
•Warm weather plants have been found in the
Arctic… but it’s not warm there!
•Glacier deposits have been discovered in tropical
and desert locations…it’s not cold there, either!
•The continents had to have been at different
locations in the geological past.