it's related to plate tectonics and paleomagnetism
2006-09-26 01:36:13 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
For more recent tectonics, they use sea floor striping and go backwards. In other words, they can trace Africa back to South America. For longer back (when you don't have seafloor for reference), you use special volcanic rocks that have been unaltered, and you date them and then determine their magnetic pole, you can find the position (relative to the north pole) at that time.
This general process is called paleogeography and plate tectonic reconstructions.
2006-09-26 04:53:23 · answer #1 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's like a puzzle in that not all rocks of a certain age are seen on the surface of the Earth. By looking at the evidence seen and determining what could or could not have happened, certain conclusions can be reached. These speculations are contriversial at best, and sometimes lead to fihgts between leading geologists.
2006-09-27 17:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By going in reverse at the same speed they are moving today and in the direction that would put the plates back together as one land mass
2006-09-26 08:38:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2014-11-01 04:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋