The theory of continental drift proposes that the Earth’s continents were once a single landmass called Pangaea, which has since broken apart and drifted to their current positions. This theory was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912 and was later developed into the theory of plate tectonics.

There are several lines of evidence that support the theory of continental drift:

1. Fit of continents: The coastlines of Africa and South America fit together like puzzle pieces, suggesting that they were once joined.
2. Fossil evidence: Fossils of the same species are found on opposite sides of the Atlantic, indicating that they were once part of the same landmass.
3. Rock types and structures: Rocks of the same age and type are found on opposite sides of the Atlantic, and mountain ranges on different continents match up when the continents are brought together.
4. Paleoclimatic evidence: Glacial deposits and other evidence of past climates suggest that the continents were once in different positions than they are today.
5. Seafloor spreading: The discovery of mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping on the seafloor provides evidence that the Earth’s crust is spreading apart at these ridges, pushing the continents along with it.

Together, these lines of evidence provide strong support for the theory of continental drift and the related theory of plate tectonics.

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