Evidence for drifting continents

Evidence for drifting continents

1. Jigsaw fit

   • South America and Africa coastlines
     • Deposition and erosion have caused overlaps and gaps

2. Rock Types

3. Mountain chains

   • Continous belt across Africa and South America

4. Fossils

   • Reptile Mesosaurus and plant Glossopteris are found in South America and Africa
     • Could not have travelled over an ocean

5. Glaciation

   • Deposited tillites and striations are found in South America and Africa

6. Palaeomagnetism

   • Rocks record the magnetism of the Earth at the time of their formation
     • 2 North Poles at one time when in fact it was polar wandering which shows the continents must have moved