Drifting

1. Matching geological formations and fossil evidence on different continents, such as the similarity of mountain ranges and the distribution of plant and animal species, support the idea that continents were once connected.
2. The fit of continental coastlines, such as the jigsaw-like fit of South America and Africa, suggests that they were once part of a single landmass.
3. Evidence of past glaciation patterns and magnetic alignment of rock layers provide further support for the movement of continents over time.

Based on an apparent fit between Africa and South America Wegener hypothesized that at one time all continents were joined together in a "subcontinent" called Pangaea. The super-continent eventually broke into the smaller continental. which then "drifted" towards their present positions. Wegener supported his hypothesis by using circumstantial evidence, similar to the way that a detective would collect. evidence to solve a crime. There are four lines of evidence:

Alfred Wegener used evidence from fossil distributions, rock formations, and the fit of the continents to support his idea of continental drift. He also studied similar plant and animal species on different continents to show past connections.

Genetic drift is considered a form of evolution. If a single population is split into two isolated groups then genetic drift will result in increasing differences over time. Eventually they will become two different species, unable to interbreed even if the two groups are brought back together.

Because he found fossils of plants that has heavy seeds and cant travel with seeds across oceans on a lot of the continents that are separated by oceans. Also, he found an oceanic animal that is only fresh water on parts of land that are separated by salt water. The fossils of the fern like plant was called Glossopteris

The breakup of Pangea started roughly 200 million years ago.

Sea floor spreading is the process that creates new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges, which are underwater mountain ranges. As the new crust forms, it moves away from the ridge, pushing the existing ocean floor aside. This movement is what allows continents to drift apart from each other, as the forces generated by sea floor spreading contribute to the overall movement of tectonic plates.

Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift was important because it proposed that continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent called Pangaea. This theory laid the foundation for the modern theory of plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates over time. Wegener's ideas revolutionized our understanding of Earth's geology and the processes that shape its surface.

Fossils found on different continents that were once part of a single landmass supported Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift. These fossils, along with matching rock formations, ancient climate evidence, and geological features, helped to provide evidence to support the idea of a supercontinent that broke apart over time.

Continental drift can affect fossil remains by causing them to be dispersed across different continents as landmasses move. It can also result in changes to the environmental conditions where fossils are found, impacting preservation and fossil formation processes. Additionally, the movement of continents can lead to the creation of new habitats or barriers, influencing the distribution and evolution of species.

1. The rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the concentration gradient, as molecules will naturally move from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
2. Diffusion occurs faster at higher temperatures due to increased molecular motion and kinetic energy.
3. Diffusion is facilitated by a shorter distance for molecules to travel, such as through a thinner membrane or over a smaller area.

Seafloor spreading is a key component of the theory of continental drift. As new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges during seafloor spreading, it pushes the existing crust outward on both sides of the ridge. This movement can help explain how continents have shifted positions over time due to the movement of tectonic plates.

1. Fossil evidence: If they are to far apart
2. Fit of the continents: Fit very well at continental shelves
3. Rock and structural similarities: Rock on different continents match
4. Paleoclimate: To warm for ice
5. Paleomagnetism: Pieces point different ways

Wegner believed that the force causing continental drift was the movement of the continents through the Earth's crust, driven by the gravitational forces associated with the rotation of the Earth. This movement was theorized to be a result of the continents floating on the denser, underlying mantle layer.

A drift key is a specialized tool used to remove or install gears or shafts from equipment such as machinery or vehicles. It typically has a tapered end that allows it to fit into tight spaces and apply firm pressure for the task at hand. Drift keys are commonly used in mechanical and automotive industries.

Climate patterns and fossil evidence can help support continental drift theory. For example, matching rock formations and fossils across continents suggest they were once connected. Additionally, similarities in climate types and geological features between distant landmasses also provide evidence for past continental connections.

Alfred Wegener used several lines of evidence to support his theory of continental drift. This included the fit of the continents like a jigsaw puzzle, similarities in rock formations and mountain ranges across different continents, matching fossils on separate continents, and paleoclimatic evidence such as glacial striations in tropical regions. These pieces of evidence led Wegener to propose the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century.

Genetic drift is a random process that can lead to fluctuations in gene frequencies within a population over time. It is more prominent in smaller populations where chance events can have a bigger impact. Over generations, genetic drift can lead to the fixation of certain alleles and the loss of others, resulting in changes to the genetic makeup of a population.

the mechanism for continental drift was not well understood at the time, and there was no evidence to support the idea of continents moving. It wasn't until the theory of plate tectonics was developed that the idea of continental drift became widely accepted.

It is because he couldn't explain why or how the continent's drifted apart. They didn't believe him until after he died.

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More to the point, they didn't believe him until new techniques showed hitherto-hidden evidence.

The shapes of different coastlines can provide evidence for continental drift because some coastlines on different continents appear to fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. For example, the coastlines of South America and Africa have similar shapes and can be fitted together. This suggests that these continents were once joined together and later drifted apart.

The seafloor spreading hypothesis suggests that the primary cause of continental movement is the upwelling of magma at mid-ocean ridges, which creates new oceanic crust. The movement of this newly-formed crust pushes the existing seafloor apart, leading to the gradual separation and movement of the continents.

Evidence supporting the theory of continental drift includes the jigsaw-like fit of continents, similarities in rock formations and fossils across continents, and matching mountain belts on different continents. Additionally, the discovery of mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping on the ocean floor provided further evidence for plate tectonics.

I believe his first observation was the way the continents of South America and Africa "fit" together like a jigsaw puzzle (although he was not the first to realize this). He also made note of fossil discoveries in Africa which corresponded to those in South America. Finally, he began his own research which actually alligned rock formation/componants from one side of the Atlantic with the other.