Evidence of plate tectonics
- 1. The Theory of Plate Tectonics Supporting Evidence
- 2. Pangaea The coastlines of some continents appear to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Scientists propose that about 300 million years ago, the continents were joined together into one single landmass (or supercontinent) called Pangaea. Over tens of millions of years, Pangaea began to break apart, moving the continents to their current locations. Public Domain (CC0)
- 3. Fossils • Scientists have found fossils of the same species on different continents (separated by oceans). • This implies that these landmasses were once closer together to allow the species to travel between continents. *One example is the freshwater reptile, Mesosaurus, with fossils found in both South America and Africa* Images Public Domain (CC0)
- 4. Fossils and Climate • Fossils of tropical plants have been found on islands in the Arctic Ocean, indicating that the climate of was warmer at one time. • Deep scratches in rocks that could only be caused by the movement of glaciers have been found in South Africa. Today’s climate of South Africa is way too mild to for glaciers. Public Domain (CC0) Public Domain (CC0) Click the image of the stone to learn about the Petoskey Stone found in Michigan.
- 5. Magnetism • Some rocks have a magnetic North and magnetic South which is established when the rock is formed. • If the continents had remained fixed in place, then the magnetic North and South of all rocks would match the Earth. However, this is not the case. • There are many locations where the magnetic North and South of rocks do NOT match that of the Earth.