1. Matching Geological Formations and Fossils: This is the most direct evidence. Examining the continents reveals matching rock formations, mineral deposits, and fossil types across different continents.
* Example: The Appalachian Mountains in North America have similar rock formations and fossils to the Caledonian Mountains in Scotland, despite being separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Seafloor Spreading: This is the process where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then moves away from the ridge.
* Example: The mid-ocean ridges are characterized by magnetic striping patterns in the rocks, which are symmetrical on either side of the ridge. This pattern is consistent with the idea of seafloor spreading and provides strong evidence for continental drift.
These two sources of evidence, along with others like the fit of the continents and the movement of the continents over time, provide compelling proof for the theory of plate tectonics, which includes continental drift.
