Which of the following are the evidences of the phenomenon of continental drift?
I. The belt of ancient rocks from Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa.
II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau when the two continents lay side by side.
III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer:

(c) I, II and III

Explanation of the Correct Answer:

All three statements are correct and serve as evidences of continental drift theory, originally proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912.

I. The belt of ancient rocks from Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa

• Geological structures and rock types on either side of the Atlantic (e.g., Brazil and West Africa) align perfectly, especially Precambrian rock formations.
• This alignment supports the idea that these continents were once joined together in a supercontinent, later drifting apart.

II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau

• The similarity in mineral compositions (especially gold) between Ghana and Brazil suggests that these landmasses were once part of the same geological formation before the Atlantic Ocean formed.
• This is a paleogeographic clue used in reconstructing past continental positions.

III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere

• The Gondwana sedimentary system found in India has been observed in South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and Madagascar.
• These fossil and rock similarities support the idea that these continents were part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• (a) I and III only: Incorrect. Ignores the valid point about gold deposits (II).
• (b) I and II only: Incorrect. Excludes the significant Gondwana sediment evidence (III).
• (d) II and III only: Incorrect. Ignores the matching rock formations (I).

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Evidence for Continental Drift

Related Concepts:

• Continental Drift Theory: Proposed by Alfred Wegener; said continents drift across Earth’s surface over geologic time.
• Plate Tectonics Theory: Modern update of continental drift that explains how and why continents move, incorporating lithospheric plate movements.
• Gondwanaland: Ancient supercontinent that included present-day India, Africa, South America, Australia, and Antarctica.

Current Relevance:

• This theory underpins the Plate Tectonics model, critical in understanding earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain-building, and resource exploration.
• Provides a framework for understanding Earth’s geological history and the distribution of fossils and minerals today.

Table 1: Evidences of Continental Drift

Table 2: Gondwana Sedimentary System and Continental Presence

Table 3: Fossil Evidence Supporting Continental Drift

Table 4: Continental Drift vs Plate Tectonics (Conceptual Clarity)