Fossil Evidence One type of evidence that strongly supported the Theory of Continental Drift is the fossil record. Fossils of similar types of plants and animals in rocks of a similar age have been found on the shores of different continents, suggesting that the continents were once joined.
What evidence was missing in Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
Portrayal of thermal convection as a mechanism. The main issue with Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory was he did not have a mechanism behind the drifting of continents.
Who reject Wegener’s idea of continental drift?
As late as 1953—just five years before Carey introduced the theory of plate tectonics—the theory of continental drift was rejected by the physicist Scheidegger on the following grounds.
Which two pieces of fossil evidence supports the idea of continental drift?
The fossils of the reptiles Mesosaurus and Lystrosaurus and a fernlike plant called Glossopteris have been found on widely separated landmasses. This convinced Wegener that the continents had once been united. Wegener used evidence from climate change to further support his theory.
Why was Wegener’s continental drift hypothesis rejected?
The main reason that Wegener’s hypothesis was not accepted was because he suggested no mechanism for moving the continents. He thought the force of Earth’s spin was sufficient to cause continents to move, but geologists knew that rocks are too strong for this to be true.
How did fossils support Wegener’s theory?
Wegener supported his theory by demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents. South America and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges. Other fossil evidence also supports the theory of continental drift.
Why is Wegener’s theory rejected?
What was the main reason Wegener’s continental drift hypothesis was rejected?
What could Wegener not explain?
Wegener was not even a geologist — who was he to overturn their field? Besides, he couldn’t explain what force could be immense enough to cause the continents to plow through the Earth’s crust like an icebreaker cutting through frozen sheets.
What evidence supports continental drift?
Another indication of continental drift is tectonic activity and seafloor spreading. Scientists agree that continents rest on rocks called tectonic plates, which shift and move. Sea floor spreading further supports the continental drift theory. As molten rock rises from the Earth, it forms new crust between the plates.
What evidence did Wegener use?
Wegener’s first line of evidence that the continents once formed a single landmass was the shape of the continents themselves. By ignoring the changeable coastlines and focusing instead on the continental shelves, Wegener showed that Africa and South America could fit together nearly seamlessly.
What are the three pieces of evidence for continental drift?
In the early part of the 20th century, scientists began to put together evidence that the continents could move around on Earth’s surface. The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones.
What evidence is used for continental drift?
Some important evidence for continental drift came after Wegener’s death. This is the magnetic evidence. Earth’s magnetic field surrounds the planet from pole to pole. If you have ever been hiking or camping, you may have used a compass to help you find your way.
