The hypothesis of _______________ involves the breakup of a supercontinent that existed hundreds of millions of years ago
The hypothesis you are referring to is known as the "continental drift" hypothesis. It suggests that Earth's continents were once part of a single supercontinent, called Pangaea, which began to break apart around 200 million years ago. This hypothesis was initially proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century. Wegener collected various lines of evidence, including the fit of the continents, matching geological formations, similarities in fossils, and the distribution of ancient climate indicators, to support his idea of continental drift.
To understand how the hypothesis of continental drift came about and the evidence behind it, you can follow these steps:
1. Begin by studying the work of Alfred Wegener. Read his original book called "The Origin of Continents and Oceans" or explore other sources that summarize his findings.
2. Familiarize yourself with the concept of Pangaea, the supercontinent that Wegener proposed existed around 300 million years ago. This understanding will help you grasp the idea behind the hypothesis.
3. Investigate the evidence that Wegener presented to support his hypothesis. Look for information regarding the fit of the continents, such as the matching coastlines or continental shelves. Research examples of similar geological formations and rock types found on different continents, like the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe.
4. Explore the distribution of fossils and ancient climate indicators found on separate continents. For instance, Wegener noted that similar plant and animal fossils, such as the Mesosaurus reptile, were discovered in both South America and Africa, which would suggest they were once connected.
5. Learn about advancements made in geology and plate tectonics in the decades following Wegener's proposal. These advancements provided further evidence and explanations for how and why continental drift occurs.
6. Take note of scientific controversies and debates surrounding the hypothesis of continental drift. This will give you a more comprehensive perspective on the subject.
By following these steps, you will gain a deeper understanding of the hypothesis of continental drift and the evidence supporting the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea.