1. Plate Tectonics Drifting Continents

2. Pangaea  The Earth once had a single landmass that broke up into large pieces, which have since drifted apart. This giant landmass in the past was called Pangaea (pan=all, gaea=land or earth)  The Earth once had a single landmass that broke up into large pieces, which have since drifted apart. This giant landmass in the past was called Pangaea (pan=all, gaea=land or earth)

3. Pangaea

5. Alfred Wegener  Alfred Wegener was a German scientist who was able to explain a scientific case to support the Pangaea theory.  He called this theory the Theory of Continental Drift.  Alfred Wegener was a German scientist who was able to explain a scientific case to support the Pangaea theory.  He called this theory the Theory of Continental Drift.

6. Alfred Wegener (1880-1930)

7. Evidence  Evidence to support this theory comes from fossils, the preserved remains of ancient organisms.

8. Evidence  Similar fossils, such as Glossopteris, an ancient plant, have been found in Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.  The seeds of this plant could not have traveled the great distance between continents.  Similar fossils, such as Glossopteris, an ancient plant, have been found in Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.  The seeds of this plant could not have traveled the great distance between continents.

9. Evidence  This suggests that these places were once closer together.

10. Evidence  Another form of evidence comes from rocks.  Rock formations in Africa line up with matching ones from South America.  Another form of evidence comes from rocks.  Rock formations in Africa line up with matching ones from South America.