Chapter 3, Problem 1RQ

To determine

The continental drift hypothesis of Wegener.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

The continental drift hypothesis of Wegener states that the continents were once joined together to form the supercontinent Pangaea and they later drifted apart.

Explanation of Solution

Continental drift hypothesis was proposed by Alfred Wegener and it states that in the past, all the continents were joined together to form a single landmass called Pangaea and later they had drifted apart to form their present configuration.

According to Wegener, the positions of continents change with time. The supercontinent Pangaea existed until the end of Palaeozoic Era. At the time of Mesozoic, they broke and drifted part. As a result, the smaller continents that exist today are formed. He supports his idea based on the data collected from various sources. It includes the matching up of coastlines on opposite sides of oceans, the distribution of Palaeozoic glaciers over the southern end of Pangaea, the distribution of late Palaeozoic equatorial climatic belts that is compatible with the concept of Pangaea, the distribution of fossils, and the distinctive assemblage of rocks that are present on the opposite sides of the ocean adjacent to Pangaea.