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Pangaea; who discovered it & what evidence was used to support it? [ answer in your own words]

2007-03-21 13:24:47 · 2 answers · asked by celi 1 in Science & Mathematics Earth Sciences & Geology

2 answers

Alfred Wegner discovered it with the theory of continental drift.

Evidence for the theory of continental drift which proves continents drift and as a result there could have and must have been a giant landmass.
1. Similar rock formations on Western Africa and Eastern South America. They were once joined in Pangea.
2. Similar fossils of the same plants and dinosaurs found in the same locations above.
3. Proof that Antarctica once had a warm climate.

2007-03-21 13:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by #1 fan 3 · 0 0

The idea that continents move around on the surface of the earth was first seriously suggested by Alfred Wegener around 1912 and 1915. After many years and many arguments later, scientists came to the consensus that the surface of the earth consists of large moving areas of rock called tectonic plates. It is believed that at one time (100s of millions of years ago) the major parts of the continents were gathered together in one mass called Pangaea - probably Wegener suggested this name around 1920. There is some evidence for this in the distribution of ancient fossils in rocks from this period and in the movement and distribution patterns of the current continents. Rocks in some areas of the globe which are now widely separated have very similar fossils. Also, there is evidence of climate change (such as coal - the remnants of forests - in places which today are extremely cold, like Antarctica and Greenland. The land had shifted and ocean currents were able to disperse heat better in ancient seas.

2007-03-21 21:45:58 · answer #2 · answered by matt 7 · 0 0

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