Evidence like the same type of rocks and fossils in continents separated by the ocean, continental coastlines fitting together, and the presence of coal in polar regions support the Theory of Continental Drift.
<h3>What are the tectonic plate and continental drift theories?</h3>
- The tectonic plates theory explains the movement of the different plates based on the crust movements.
- The continental drift theory explains how these plate movements have been taking place for millions of years.
Alfred Wegener proposed for the first time that continents were once all together in one big continent named Pangea, and with time, they split and separated into many pieces.
Although Wegener’s theory was criticized, the geologist Du Toit published in 1937 a list of 10 pieces of evidence that would support the theory of tectonic plates and continental drift.
<h3>What is the
evidence that support the
theories of
tectonic plates and
continental drift?</h3>
Wegener, Du Toit, and other following researchers made use of the following list of evidence to prove these theories,
- Gondwana glaciation evidence,
- Lithological and structural evidence
Sedimentary layers, chronologically deposited, reflect history through their composition.
The same type of rocks of similar age express the same chronological deposition in continents currently separated by the ocean.
This fact also suggests that continents were once together and these rocks formed simultaneously in the same place.
Continental coastlines seem to fit with each other. For instance, the South American coastline seems to fit perfectly with the African coastline.
- Paleontological evidence. Fossil distribution.
Plant and animal fossils distributed in different continents in the same sedimental layers suggest that these land masses were once together composing a big unique continent.
When reconstructing the supercontinent, the areas in which these fossils were found get together in the same supercontinental region.
Finding the same fossils in the same sedimental layers suggests that these continents were once together, and these organisms used to live in the same region.
Since coal gets formed under warm to hot and humid climatic conditions, it is suggested that coal found in Antarctic areas and other regions near the poles, was formed when the continents were together near the equatorial region.
<em>How do the continental coastlines support the Theory of Continental Drift (Pangaea Theory)?</em>
Because continental coastlines fit together. For instance, South America and Africa.
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<em>How fossil distribution supports the Theory of Continental drift? </em>
Because the same fossils are found in the same sedimental layers of continents separated by the ocean.
<em>How do distinctive rock strata support the Theory of Continental Drift?</em>
Because the same type of rock of the same age are found in the same sedimental layers of continents separated by the ocean.
<em>How does coal distribution support the Theory of Continental Drift?</em>
Because the coal found under Antarctica and other polar regions must have formed in warmer and more humid areas, such as the Equator, suggesting plate displacement.
You will learn more about evidences that surpport the continental drift theory at
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