What type of evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his hypothesis?

What type of evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his hypothesis?

• A. Climate models
• B. Fossil evidence, climate evidence, jigsaw puzzle fit
• C. Mainly geological formations
• D. Historical maps

Answer: (B)

Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift was supported by a range of evidence that highlighted the connections between landmasses, which significantly strengthened his argument. Fossil evidence played a crucial role, where identical fossils of early plants and animals were found on continents now separated by oceans, indicating that these landmasses were once joined. Climate evidence also contributed, as it was observed that coal deposits, which form in warm, humid climates, were located in present-day polar regions, suggesting that these areas were once closer to the equator. Lastly, the jigsaw puzzle fit of continents, particularly how South America and Africa appear to fit together, provided a visual representation of how the continents could have been connected in the past. This combination of fossil, climate, and geometric evidence created a compelling case for Wegener's theory of continental drift, allowing him to propose the idea that continents were not static but had moved over geological time.

Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift was supported by a range of evidence that highlighted the connections between landmasses, which significantly strengthened his argument. Fossil evidence played a crucial role, where identical fossils of early plants and animals were found on continents now separated by oceans, indicating that these landmasses were once joined. Climate evidence also contributed, as it was observed that coal deposits, which form in warm, humid climates, were located in present-day polar regions, suggesting that these areas were once closer to the equator. Lastly, the jigsaw puzzle fit of continents, particularly how South America and Africa appear to fit together, provided a visual representation of how the continents could have been connected in the past.

This combination of fossil, climate, and geometric evidence created a compelling case for Wegener's theory of continental drift, allowing him to propose the idea that continents were not static but had moved over geological time.