EP 16: The Incredible Journey of Our Continents

In this episode of the Did You Know series with Amish Tripathi, we explore one of the most astonishing truths of our planet—that the very continents we live on are constantly moving.

Did you know that the east coast of South America fits perfectly with the west coast of Africa—almost like a jigsaw puzzle? Or that India was once a part of Africa and drifted thousands of kilometres to crash into Asia, giving rise to the Himalayas?

From the forgotten genius of Alfred Wegener, who first proposed the idea of continental drift, to the brilliant Marie Tharp, whose maps of the ocean floor revealed the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this episode uncovers how our planet has reshaped itself over hundreds of millions of years. We also look ahead to the future—where tectonic forces could split Africa in two and give birth to a brand-new ocean.

Whether you’re a geography geek, a science lover, or just someone who’s ever stared at a world map in wonder—this episode will change the way you look at Earth forever.

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REFERENCES:

1. "Plate Tectonics: Continental Drift and Mountain Building" by Wolfgang Frisch, Martin Meschede, and Ronald C. Blakey. This textbook explains how mountains are formed, reconstructs Earth's paleogeography, and discusses the fit between South America and Africa.

Springer Link

1. "The Continental Drift Controversy" by Henry R. Frankel. This comprehensive four-volume work delves into the historical and scientific debates surrounding continental drift and the development of plate tectonics theory.

2. "Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes" by Lynn R. Sykes. This book provides firsthand accounts of the development of plate tectonics and its relation to seismic activity, offering insights into Earth's dynamic crust.

cup.columbia.edu

1. "Mysteries of the Deep: How Seafloor Drilling Expeditions Revolutionized Our Understanding of Earth" by Walter H. F. Smith. This book discusses the transition from continental drift to plate tectonics, highlighting key scientific discoveries that reshaped our understanding of Earth's geology.

direct.mit.edu

1. "Plate Tectonics: History of the Revolution in Earth Sciences" by Naomi Oreskes. This work explores the historical development of plate tectonics theory, including Harry Hess's proposal of seafloor spreading and mantle convection.