Which hypothesis describes the breaking apart of a supercontinent into smaller continents?

The hypothesis that describes the breaking apart of a supercontinent into smaller continents is known as Continental Drift. This concept was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, suggesting that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass, which he termed "Pangaea." Over millions of years, this supercontinent began to fragment and drift apart into the positions we see today.

Continental Drift successfully explains various geological and fossil evidence, such as the similarity of rock formations and fossils found on different continents that are now separated by oceans. For example, the presence of identical plant and animal fossils on both the coasts of Africa and South America supports the idea that these landmasses were once connected. The movement of continents continues to influence the geological features we observe today, such as mountain ranges and ocean basins, as the plates on which they sit move slowly over time.

While Plate Tectonics encompasses a broader scope including the mechanisms behind these movements, Continental Drift specifically addresses the historical separation of continents from a unified supercontinent. This distinction is key in understanding the separate yet interconnected theories regarding the Earth’s geological activity.