What is the name of the supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener?
Pangaea
Rodinia
Amasia
Nuna
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is Pangaea.
Explanation:
Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century. One of the key aspects of his hypothesis was the idea that all the continents were once part of a single, large supercontinent, which he named Pangaea. This supercontinent existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, around 300 million years ago. Wegener suggested that Pangaea began to break apart around 200 million years ago, leading to the formation of the continents as we know them today.
Wegener’s evidence for the existence of Pangaea came from multiple sources:
- Fossil Evidence: Identical fossil species, such as the extinct reptile Mesosaurus, were found on continents that are now separated by vast oceans, suggesting that these continents were once connected.
- Geological Evidence: Similar rock formations and mountain ranges were observed on continents that are now separated, further supporting the idea of a unified landmass.
- Paleoclimatic Evidence: Evidence of past climates, such as glacial deposits found in areas that are now located near the equator, suggested that these regions were once located closer to the South Pole, indicating a shift in Earth’s tectonic plates.
Despite these compelling observations, Wegener’s theory was not immediately accepted. At the time, the mechanism for how the continents drifted apart was not well understood. It wasn’t until the 1960s, with the development of the theory of plate tectonics, that Wegener’s ideas were fully validated, and the theory of continental drift became widely accepted.
The concept of Pangaea is an essential part of modern geology and our understanding of Earth’s dynamic history.
Here is an artistic representation of the supercontinent Pangaea, illustrating how all the continents were once connected. This image reflects the unified landmass before the continents began drifting apart.