1. The Theory of Continental Drift

2. 1. Continental Drift Theory
a. Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912
b. 250 million years ago, all of the continents were combined into one super-continent called “Pangaea” c. The continents gradually drifted apart to where they are today

3. 2. Evidence of Continental Drift
a. Puzzle pieces continents fit together like a jigsaw puzzle

4. 2. Evidence continued…
b. Fossil evidence Identical plant and animal fossils found on the coastlines of different continents

5. 2. Evidence continued….
c. Rock patterns Same rock patterns found in South America, India, Africa, Antarctica and Australia

6. 2. Still more evidence….
d. Climate evidence Tropical plant remains (coal deposits formed in warm climates) found in Antarctica (now a cold climate)
e. Glaciation in Africa, South America, India, and Australia during the same time

7. 3. What was the main reason scientists rejected Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
a. Wegener could not explain the force that was making the continents move.
b. He didn’t have a good hypothesis!

8. Summary:
What idea from the movie suggested a mechanism for moving continents?