What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century, suggesting that continents were once connected as a single landmass called Pangaea and later drifted apart to their current positions. Wegener supported his theory of continental drift with several lines of evidence:

1. Fossil Evidence: Wegener observed similar plant and animal fossils, particularly of certain species found on continents that are currently separated by oceans. For instance, identical fossilized remains of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, were found in both South America and Africa. This indicated that these continents were once connected.
2. Geological Evidence: The geological features on different continents, such as rock formations, mountain ranges, and geological structures, showed remarkable similarities. For instance, the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States were similar in structure to mountain ranges in Europe and North Africa. Wegener suggested that these features aligned when the continents were part of a single landmass.
3. Paleoclimatic Evidence: Wegener studied evidence of ancient climates preserved in geological formations, such as glacial deposits and coal beds. He noted that certain regions, which are now separated by vast distances, showed geological evidence of past climates that could only be explained if these regions were once adjacent within a single continent.
4. Fit of Continents: Wegener observed that the coastlines of continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, especially the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa. He proposed that these continents were once part of a larger landmass.

Despite presenting compelling evidence, Wegener's theory initially faced skepticism because he couldn't provide a convincing mechanism explaining how continents moved. Later advancements in geology, such as the development of the theory of plate tectonics, provided the mechanism to explain continental drift, leading to widespread acceptance of Wegener's ideas.