Warm up What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory of Continental Drift? What evidence did Wegner use to support his theory of Continental Drift? What theory did this lay the groundwork for? What theory did this lay the groundwork for?

Alfred Wegener In 1910, Alfred Wegener became curious about the continents. He formed a hypothesis that the continents had moved. In 1910, Alfred Wegener became curious about the continents. He formed a hypothesis that the continents had moved.

Continental Drift

Wegener’s hypothesis was that all continents had been joined together in a single landmass and have since moved apart. Wegener’s hypothesis was that all continents had been joined together in a single landmass and have since moved apart.

He named this super continent Pangaea. This idea was known as Continental Drift. He named this super continent Pangaea. This idea was known as Continental Drift.

Evidence 1. Landforms 1. Landforms Mountain ranges and other features on continents provided evidence. South America and Africa fit together like puzzle pieces. A mountain range in South America lined up with a mountain range in Africa. European coal fields matched up with ones in North America.Mountain ranges and other features on continents provided evidence. South America and Africa fit together like puzzle pieces. A mountain range in South America lined up with a mountain range in Africa. European coal fields matched up with ones in North America.

2. Fossils 2. Fossils A fossil is a trace of an organism preserved in rock. Fossils of the reptiles Mesosaurus and Lystrosaurus had been found in places now separated by oceans. Another example was the fern- like plant Glossopteris found in Antarctica, Africa, South America, Australia and India.A fossil is a trace of an organism preserved in rock. Fossils of the reptiles Mesosaurus and Lystrosaurus had been found in places now separated by oceans. Another example was the fern- like plant Glossopteris found in Antarctica, Africa, South America, Australia and India.

Pangaea had 2 parts Laurasia: made up of North America, Europe and Asia Laurasia: made up of North America, Europe and Asia Gondwanaland: made up of South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia Gondwanaland: made up of South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia

3. Climate 3. Climate Fossils of tropical plants were found in Antarctica.Fossils of tropical plants were found in Antarctica. Glaciers once covered South Africa. Deep scratches from the glaciers were found on rocks.Glaciers once covered South Africa. Deep scratches from the glaciers were found on rocks.

Rejection of Wegener’s Hypothesis Wegener could not provide evidence for the forces that push or pull the continents. Many geologists in the 1900’s thought the earth was slowly shrinking and cooling. Wegener disagreed with this proposal because mountains usually appear in narrow bands along the edge of continents Wegener could not provide evidence for the forces that push or pull the continents. Many geologists in the 1900’s thought the earth was slowly shrinking and cooling. Wegener disagreed with this proposal because mountains usually appear in narrow bands along the edge of continents

Now scientists have new evidence to support the theory of Continental Drift. Now scientists have new evidence to support the theory of Continental Drift.

New Evidence Today The Ring of Fire: showing that the plates once were connected and convection currents in the mantle has caused the movement and the eruption of volcanoes and earthquakes. The Ring of Fire: showing that the plates once were connected and convection currents in the mantle has caused the movement and the eruption of volcanoes and earthquakes.