Final answer:
The most persuasive evidence for continental movement proposed by Alfred Wegener is the matching fossils on separate continents, suggesting a past connection and supporting the existence of a supercontinent Pangea. Over time, the theory of plate tectonics provided the mechanism for Wegener's continental drift hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the various lines of evidence that Alfred Wegener used to support his hypothesis of continental drift, the most persuasive is arguably the presence of matching fossils on different continents separated by oceans. Wegener noticed that identical or closely related fossils were found in South America and Africa, providing compelling evidence that these two continents were once physically joined. This suggests a past connection between continents, solidifying the case for the existence of a supercontinent known as Pangea. Another strong piece of evidence includes the jigsaw puzzle-like fit of the continents, alongside similarities in rock formations and paleoclimate indicators that align with the hypothesis of the continental drift.
Wegener's hypothesis, initially lacking a mechanism for the movement of continents, was refined over decades with the development of plate tectonics theory. This theory, benefiting from advancements in geology, oceanography, and geophysics, eventually provided the needed explanation for how continents could drift across the Earth's surface.