What type of evidence did Alfred Wegener present to support his theory?

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, which suggested that continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have since drifted apart. To support this theory, Wegener presented compelling evidence involving fossils and climate patterns.

Fossils of identical species, such as the Mesosaurus, were found on continents that are now widely separated by oceans, like South America and Africa. This indicated that these continents must have been connected at some point in the past, allowing these species to inhabit both regions.

In addition to fossil evidence, Wegener pointed to climatic data that revealed patterns consistent with the movement of continents. For instance, evidence of glacial deposits found in now-warm regions like India and Africa suggested that these areas were once located near the South Pole, where glaciation would have been possible. Similarly, coal deposits indicative of tropical climates were found in areas now subject to cold climates.

Together, the alignment of fossil records and the correspondence of climate patterns across different continents provided a strong foundation for Wegener's argument about the existence of a supercontinent and the concept of continental drift. This multifaceted approach helped support the idea that continents are not fixed but rather move over geological time.