The theory of continental drift provides a fascinating explanation for how the Earth's landmasses moved over geological time. It posits that hundreds of millions of years ago, all continents were part of a single supercontinent named "Pangea," surrounded by a global ocean. German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed this groundbreaking idea in 1912, suggesting that the continents slowly drifted apart to their current locations. Wegener supported his hypothesis with compelling physical evidence, such as the puzzle-like fit of South America and Africa’s coastlines and the presence of identical plant and animal fossils on widely separated continents. Although initially met with skepticism because the driving force was unknown, the theory laid the foundation for modern plate tectonics. Scientists later discovered that the Earth’s lithosphere is divided into plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath them. This continuous movement not only reshapes the world’s map but also causes volcanic activity and the formation of massive mountain ranges.