Overview
The historical geology of continental drift explores how continents have shifted over millions of years, reshaping the Earth's surface. This theory, first proposed by Alfred Wegener, is supported by various forms of evidence, including fossil distribution and geological similarities across continent...
Key Terms
Example: The Americas drifting away from Europe and Africa.
Example: Plate tectonics explains earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Example: Pangaea began to break apart about 200 million years ago.
Example: Similar fossils of Mesosaurus found in South America and Africa.
Example: Seafloor spreading occurs at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Example: The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates.
Related Topics
Plate Tectonics
The study of the movement and interaction of Earth's plates, explaining many geological phenomena.
intermediateGeological Time Scale
A timeline that organizes Earth's history into different periods based on geological events.
intermediateFossil Record
The history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, providing evidence for evolution and continental drift.
intermediateKey Concepts
Plate TectonicsPangaeaFossil EvidenceSeafloor Spreading