Final answer:
The theory of plate tectonics is supported by evidence such as fossils indicating continental movements, matching geological formations across continents, and a history of Earth's geological activity. Alfred Wegener's initial theory of continental drift, further expanded in the 1960s, laid the foundation for understanding plate tectonics, which is crucial for comprehending Earth's geological past and present.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is substantial evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics, which explains the movement of tectonic plates and the consequent geological activities on Earth. One line of evidence comes from fossils of ancient sea life found on dry land, indicating that these areas were once covered by oceans, suggesting a shifting of the Earth's surface over time. Another form of evidence is the existence of matching rock layers and fossils across continents that are now separated by oceans, which implies that these continents were once connected. Furthermore, geological activity such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and erosion, as seen in the Earth's landscape, support the idea that the Earth's surface has been reformed over millions of years due to the movement of these plates.
German scientist Alfred Wegener was instrumental in the early development of the theory, proposing the idea of continental drift based on the fit of the continents, matching fossils, mountain ranges, and paleoclimate evidence, leading him to suggest the existence of a supercontinent called Pangea 200 million years ago. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that Wegener’s ideas were expanded upon, allowing for a better understanding of the mechanics behind plate movements.
The study of plate tectonics is essential for understanding the past and present geology of our planet. It provides insights into the formation of continents, oceans, mountain ranges, and other geological features, and is as fundamental to geology as the theory of evolution is to biology or the theory of gravity is to astronomy.