South America and Africa fit like puzzle pieces. Slide back in time and join them up.
🌍 Play this lesson on the globe
Look at the green east coast of South America and the orange west coast of Africa. The bulge of Brazil looks like it would tuck into the bend of Africa, like two puzzle pieces!
Drag the slider back in time and watch South America drift. The shapes are drawn simple, and the real trip was less smooth.
Long ago, all the land on Earth was joined in one supercontinent. Scientists call it Pangaea, which means “all lands”. About 225 to 200 million years ago, it began to break apart.
Down the middle of the Atlantic runs a crack called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Hot rock wells up there and makes new sea floor, pushing the two sides apart.
Now find the fit yourself. Plates crashing together make volcanoes too: try the Ring of Fire lesson next!
🌍 Play this lesson on the globe
The globe pictures are simplified to show the idea. Earth images: NASA Blue Marble (public domain).