LESSON 14: THE THEORIES OF THE EARTH STRUCTURES
CONTINENTAL DRIFT
This theory describes the tearing and movement of continents apart. It was brought up by ALFRED WEGENER in 1915. The main ideas are
- All the continental land masses were once a single large continent called PÄNGEA
- It was surrounded by a one large ocean called PANTHA LASSA
- Later Pangaea divided into the super continental blocks; LAURASIA (Northern block) and GANDWANDA LAND (Southern block). They were divided by SEA THYS
- As time went these blocks were braking up into smaller continents which have been slowly moving apart horizontally to their present day positions as shown below
| 500Million years ago
PANGEA |
250Million years ago
LAURASIA
|
FROM 100Millions years ago
Europe and Asia North America Green land |
|
GONDWADA LAND |
India
Africa South America Australia Antarctica
|
Fig: The pattern of continent setting
Evidence of Continental Drift
Earth scientists have found proofs that our continents have been moving and are still moving;
- If the continents that split and drifted are brought together they will fit in E.G Western post line of Africa and the Eastern coast line of South America
- Rocks of same age and types are found in Africa India and Australia
- There are numerous geological similarities between Eastern south America and Western Africa
The same applies to fissile fuels
