The idea that the Earth’s continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart is known as ‘the theory of continental drift’. Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, this idea has been elaborated and supported by a plethora of evidence from different scientific disciplines. Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of continental drift and the evidence supporting it:

How It Works

The mechanism for continental drift became much clearer with the development of the theory of plate tectonics. According to this theory, the Earth’s lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates can move because of convective currents in the asthenosphere, driven by heat from the Earth’s core. This movement leads to the drifting of continents.

Pangaea, Laurasia, And Gondwanaland

According to Wegener, all continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea. Around 200 million years ago, Pangaea began to break apart. It first split into Laurasia in the north and Gondwanaland in the south. These further fragmented into the continents we have today.

Scientific Acceptance

Initially, Wegener’s ideas were met with scepticism because he couldn’t explain how the continents moved. However, as more evidence accumulated, particularly from the field of geophysics, the scientific community gradually accepted the reality of continental drift and its modern interpretation, plate tectonics.

Evidence In Support Of The Continental Drift