The theory of plate tectonics that explains how South America broke apart from Africa is known as the theory of continental drift, originally proposed by Alfred Wegener. This theory suggests that continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea, which gradually split apart due to the movement of tectonic plates. The separation of South America from Africa occurred as these plates drifted over millions of years, leading to the current configuration of continents. This process is driven by forces such as mantle convection and slab pull within the Earth's lithosphere.
Alexander du Toit was a geologist who proposed the theory of "continental drift" in the early 20th century. He suggested that the continents were once part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea and that they had drifted apart over time. His work laid the foundation for the development of the theory of plate tectonics.
The theory of plate tectonics
Africa and South America are moving apart due to the process of plate tectonics. The movement is caused by the shifting of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface, which results in the continents drifting away from each other over time.
Alfred Wegeners 1912 theory of Plate tectonics and continental drift.
Alfred Wegener observed the apparent fit of the coastlines of South America and Africa, suggesting they were once joined. This observation helped support his theory of continental drift, which proposed that continents were once connected in a single landmass called Pangaea and drifted apart over time. This theory laid the foundation for the modern theory of plate tectonics.
Why is South America and Africa moveded apart?
yes. because of the sea-floor spreading making Africa and South America drift apart even more
Plate Tectonics has some continents moving apart (e.g. North America and Europe) and others moving together or colliding (e.g. India and Asia). The movement is complex as it is driven by convection cells in the mantle.
North America
The theory that led to the theory of plate tectonics is called continental drift. Proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, continental drift suggested that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart to their current positions on Earth's surface.
Africa and South America have coastlines that fit together like puzzle pieces, particularly along the western edges where the continents appear to have once been connected before drifting apart. This phenomenon is known as continental drift and provides evidence for the theory of plate tectonics.
Eastern South America fits into western Africa due to the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how continents have drifted apart over millions of years. The coastlines of these regions align closely, particularly the shapes of Brazil and the African countries of Ghana and Nigeria. This alignment is a remnant of the supercontinent Pangaea, which existed around 300 million years ago before breaking apart. The geological and fossil evidence further supports this connection, indicating a historical link between these landmasses.