Pangea theory explains continental drift from "summary" of Principles of Geology, Volume 1 by Charles Lyell,Sir Charles Lyell
The theory of Pangea, first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, explains the phenomenon of continental drift. According to this theory, all the continents were once united into a single supercontinent called Pangea. Over time, this supercontinent began to break apart and drift away from each other, eventually forming the continents as we know them today. The evidence supporting the theory of Pangea and continental drift is based on several key observations. One piece of evidence is the matching shapes of coastlines on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, such as those of South America and Africa. This suggests that these continents were once joined together and have since moved apart. Additionally, the distribution of fossils and rocks on different continents provides further evidence for continental drift. For example, identical fossils of ancient plants and animals have been found on continents that are now separated by vast oceans. This indicates that these continents were once connected and have since drifted apart. Furthermore, the alignment of mountain ranges and geological features on different continents also supports the theory of Pangea. For instance, the Appalachian Mountains in North America are geologically similar to the Caledonian Mountains in Europe, suggesting that these two landmasses were once part of the same landmass.- The theory of Pangea and continental drift provides a comprehensive explanation for the movement of continents over millions of years. By studying the geological evidence left behind, scientists have been able to piece together the history of Earth's continents and understand how they have evolved and changed over time.
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