4. Evidence of Continental Fit
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As illustrated in this diagram, in addition to the match of the coastlines, the distribution of fossils of dinosaurs and plants, as well as a variety of rock types and other geological features on opposite sides of large oceans could be matched together -- once the continents were restored into a single continent -- the supercontinent of Pangaea, which existed over 200 million years ago.
Clearly there was a large, growing body of evidence to support the movement of continents, but data was missing from nearly 70% of the Earth's surface -- the portion that lies below the sea.
Created By:
Don Reed
Dept. of Geology
San Jose State University
©Copyright 2008
Last Updated on
Sept. 22, 2008
What types of evidence were used to support the hypothesis of the fit of the continents into Pangea?
a) coastline fit
b) matching up the locations of fossils across modern ocean basins,
c) matching up rock types between the continents,
d) all of the above plus more