Continental drift

Continental drift is the gradual movement of Earth's continents across the planet's surface over geological timescales. First proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, the theory suggests that continents were once joined in a supercontinent called Pangaea and have slowly separated—a process driven by plate tectonic forces beneath the crust.

Evidence supporting continental drift includes matching fossils on distant continents, complementary coastlines (notably Africa and South America), identical rock formations, and paleomagnetic patterns in ocean floor basalts. Seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges continuously generates new crust, pushing plates apart at rates of centimeters per year.

Though initially controversial, continental drift became mainstream science after the plate tectonics revolution of the 1960s. It explains mountain ranges, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the distribution of ancient life. Today, satellites track continental movement with millimeter precision, confirming the slow dance of our planet's landmasses.

This continuous reshaping of Earth's geography has profoundly influenced Evolution, climate patterns, and the formation of Ocean currents.

Related

Plate tectonics, Seafloor spreading, Pangaea, Plate boundaries, Paleomagnetic stratigraphy