Continental Drift Theory
Continental Drift Theory was put forward by the German meteorologist Alfred
Wegner in 1915. The theory states that the Earth's continents have once been
joined together and have moved away from each other at different times in the
Earth's history.
Wegner was very much impressed by the jigsaw puzzle fit of the shorelines of the
continents. He was working on the past climates and observed that there are places
on earth where once there was an extremely cold climate but today it has a hot one.
He resultantly assumed that this could be due to the change in position of the
continents from one climatic zone to another.
According to continental drift theory,
Parts of the crust is capable of horizontal movement round the globe causing
the continents to slowly change their positions in relation to one another.
He believed that the continents were made up of lighter material called SiAL
(Silica and Aluminum) while the floor of oceans were made up of heavier
material called SiMA (Silica and Magnesium). So, the lighter continents
would float like icebergs, on the lower and heavier earth crust (oceans).
According to Wegener,
In early Paleozoic times (for hundreds of million years) all the continents
(land) of Earth was joined to form one great land mass
called PANGAEA (meaning “all lands” in Greek). It was surrounded by a vast
ocean called PANTHALLASA.
By the end of Triassic period (200 MYA), Pangaea was divided into two
supercontinents, the northern Laurasia and the southern Gondwanaland.
The two large continents continued to break apart into the smaller continents
(that exist today) and drifted away from one another. This movement is called
the ‘continental drift’.
Evidences in support of Continental Drift theory
1. Jigsaw Fit:
The similarity in outline of the coastlines
of eastern South America and West
Africa had been noted for some time.
Similarly the outlines of Antarctica,
Australia and India may be grouped
together into a cluster that fits in the
outlines of Africa.
2. Fossil Evidence:
Similar fossils are found in continents that are now far apart, such as, fossil
fern Glossopteris which was widely dispersed among Africa, South America,
India and Australia. And fossils of Mesosaurus (an aquatic dinosaur) was
limited to South America and Africa.
3. Geological Evidence:
Identical rock sequences alongwith associated coal deposits found in India,
Australia, Antarctica, South Africa and South America indicates that the
continents were once joined together.
4. Variation of Climates in Past:
By studying ancient climates, Wegner noted that different kinds of
sedimentary rocks are found in areas where present climate is not suitable
for their deposition.
Criticism/Objections faced by Continental Drift Theory:
Wegner could not provide a mechanism for continental drift.
The theory failed to explain why the drift began only in Mesozoic era and
not before.
The reason of absence of a large number of mammals and reptiles from
South America that are abundant in Africa was not mentioned.
Forces like buoyancy, tidal currents and gravity are too weak to be able to
move continents.
The remarkable fit of shorelines was challenged by many scientists, that
shorelines are continually modified by erosional processes so a good fit of
continents was not possible today.
