1. Unit 1.3: Drifting Continents
The theory of Continental Drift as proposed by Alfred Wegener

2. Alfred Wegener 1910: German scientist
Wegener did multiple expeditions to Greenland to explore the last unexplored portion and do meteorological research
Fought in WWI in Belgium

3. The Theory of Continental Drift
All the continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have drifted apart
This single large landmass was called “Pangea”, which means “All Land”

4. Evidence of Wegener’s Theory
Land Features
Fossils
Climate Change

5. Land Features Mountain ranges on Africa and South America line up
European coal fields match up with coal fields in North America
Puzzle Pieces fit together

6. Fossil Evidence
Fossils of exactly the same prehistoric species were distributed where you would expect them to be if there had been Continental Drift

7. Climate Toward the equator, the climate is warmer
Toward the poles, the climate is colder
Fossils of tropical plants are found in the Arctic Ocean Islands
Deep scratches in rocks show that continental glaciers once covered South Africa. Perhaps South Africa was closer to the South Pole
Glacial till deposits in the southern hemisphere: Continents would need to be in the Pangea formation to support this evidence