Journal 10- Alfred Wegener’s evidence for his Theory of Continental Drift
Evidence
1. Puzzle pieces- the continents seemed
to fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
2. Rock structures- the same identical
rock structures (mountains) and types
of rocks were found on the coasts of
two different continents suggesting
that at one time they were connected.
3. Fossils- of a small reptile had been
found on different continents that were
now separated by the ocean. The
fossil remains were of an animal that
could not fly or swim so had no way to
cross the ocean. Meaning the
continents must have been connected
at one time.
4. Climate change - Coal deposits had
been found in Antarctica and in
England. Since coal is formed only
from plants that grow in warm, wet
climates, Wegener concluded that
those land masses must have once
been near the equator, and have since
drifted to their current locations.
5. Climate change- evidence of glaciers
on Africa suggests that Africa was
once farther away from the equator in
a much colder spot than where it is
today.
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