What was Pangaea, which continents were part of Gondwanaland, what problem did Alfred Wegener see in the theory of an unchanging Earth, what causes continents to move, and what evidence supports Wegen

Here are the answers to your questions: 2.4.1 The single landmass that existed over millions of years ago was Pangaea. 2.4.2 Two present continents that used to be part of Gondwanaland are: • South America • Africa (Other possible answers include Antarctica, Australia, India, Madagascar). 2.4.3 One problem Alfred Wegener saw in the theory that the Earth was unchanging was the distribution of identical fossils and rock formations across continents now separated by vast oceans. If the continents had always been in their current positions, it would be impossible to explain how these organisms and geological features could be found on such distant landmasses. 2.4.4 The continents move due to plate tectonics. The Earth's outermost layer, the lithosphere, is broken into large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. These plates are constantly in motion, driven by convection currents within the Earth's mantle. Hot, less dense material rises, spreads laterally, and then cools and sinks, creating a conveyor belt-like motion that drags the tectonic plates along. 2.4.5 Wegener's theory of continental drift is supported by several lines of evidence. Firstly, the jigsaw fit of continents is striking, particularly the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America, which appear to fit together perfectly. Secondly, fossil evidence shows identical species of ancient plants (like Glossopteris) and animals (like Mesosaurus) found on continents now separated by oceans, suggesting they once lived on a continuous landmass. Thirdly, geological evidence reveals matching rock types and mountain ranges (e.g., the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe) across different continents. Finally, paleoclimate evidence indicates that ancient glacial deposits are found in present-day tropical regions, while coal deposits (formed in tropical environments) are found in polar regions, suggesting these landmasses have drifted significantly from their original climatic zones. Last free one today — make it count tomorrow, or type /upgrade for unlimited.