Final answer:
Continental drift was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1915 and is supported by evidence such as the fit of continents together, similar fossils found on multiple continents, and changes in coastal areas and glaciation patterns over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that the continents were once one large landmass is known as continental drift, and it was first proposed by German scientist Alfred Wegener in 1915. Wegener's evidence for continental drift included:
- The apparent fit of continents together like pieces of a puzzle: Wegener noticed that the shape of the continents seemed to fit together, especially along their coastlines.
- Similar fossils found on multiple continents: There were fossils of the same species found on continents that were separated by oceans, suggesting that these continents were once connected.
- Changes in coastal areas and glaciation patterns over millions of years: Wegener observed changes in the shapes of coastlines and patterns of glaciation that could be explained by the continents moving over time.
These pieces of evidence led Wegener to propose that all of the continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangea.