Chapter 2: Critical Thinking

4. What are some of the major pieces of evidence for the theory of plate tectonics? How does the theory explain these observations?

According to Wegner’s hypothesis, which suggests that all continents had once been joined in a single “supercontinent,” named Pangea, the theory of plate tectonics was developed – a process that involves the entire surface of the planet. This theory is constituted of several evidences such as:

• Coal-deposits and other geological formation on either side of the Atlantic match exactly
• Fossils on opposite sides of the ocean that exactly match

In regards to Wegner's hypothesis on continental drift, as well as the theory on plate tectonics, it is quite obvious that the evidences stated above are true, since the fossil records on biotic and abiotic life supports it.