Final answer:
South America drifted westward from Pangaea, which can be observed from the matching coastlines of South America and Africa, and the presence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that continues to separate the two continents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the current position of the continents, South America drifted westward from Pangaea. This movement is evident when we consider the shape of the South American and African coastlines, which appear to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. When Pangaea began to break apart about 200 million years ago, it led to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean. This event marked the eastward shift of Africa and the westward drift of South America, creating the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is an underwater mountain range that marks the boundary between the tectonic plates.
The resulting movement can be measured and calculated from the spreading rate of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, helping scientists to understand the speed at which continental drift occurs. Today, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge continues to push the continents of Africa and South America apart, contributing to the present-day arrangement of landmasses on our planet.