Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Critical Review of the Evidence for a Former Direct Connection of South America with Africa

  • Chapter
Biogeography and Ecology in South America

Part of the book series: Monographiæ Biologicæ ((MOBI,volume 18))

  • 252 Accesses

Abstract

The probabilities of a former connection of South America with Africa have been debated ever since F. E. Suess propounded the concept of a former supercontinent, called Gondwanaland embracing India and all the continents of the southern hemisphere. At first the idea did not seem very startling, because it was well known that large continental areas had in the past been repeatedly invaded by the sea and because it was unknown that continents and oceans had dissimilar crustal structures. It was then Wegener’S exposition of the hypothesis of continental drift which focused attention on the many similarities in the geological history of the two widely separated continents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Bibliography

  • Amaral, G., U. G. Cordani, K. Kawashita & J. H. Reynolds. 1966. Potassium-argon dates of basaltic rocks from Southern Brazil. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 30: 159–189.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beurlen, K. 1961. Die paläogeographische Entwicklung des südatlantischen Ozeans. Nova Acta Leopoldina 24: 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bigarella, J. J.& R. Salamuni. 1961. Early Mesozoic wind patterns as suggested by dune bedding in the Botacatu sandstone of Brazil and Uruguay. Bull. geol. Soc. Amer 72: 1089–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff, G. 1963. Zur Geologie des Amazonasbeckens. Ergebnisse geologischer Flußkartierungen an der Nordflanke des mittleren Amazonasbeckens. Geol. Jb. 80: 771–794.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brognon, G. P.& G. R. Verrier. 1966. Oil and geology in Cuanza basin of Angola. Bull. Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol 50: 108–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullard, E., J. E. Everett & G. Smith. 1965. The fit of the continents around the Atlantic. Phil. Trans. R. Soc 1088: 41–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, S. W. 1955. Wegener’s South America-Africa assembly, fit or misfit. Geol. Mag 92: 196–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, S. W. 1958. A tectonic approach to continental drift. In: Proc. Continental Drift, Sympos., Dept. Geol. Hobart, Tasmania, p. 177–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creer, K. M. 1965. Palaeomagnetic data from the Gondwanic continents. Phil. Trans. R. Soc 1088: 27–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, D. 1965. Discussion. Phil. Trans. R. Soc 1088: 140–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Boer, J. 1965. Palaeomagnetic indications of megatectonic movements in the Tethys. Geophys. Res 70: 931–944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Villiers, J. E. & L. C. Gouws. 1961. An occurrence of Dwyka tilhte south of the Cape Folded Ranges at Genadendaal and some observations on the Carboniferous glaciation in the Southern Hemisphere. C.C.T.A. South. Region. Comm. Geol., Pretoria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, R. S. 1961. Continent and ocean basin evolution by spreading of the sea floor. Nature, Lond. 190: 854–857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du Toit, A. L. 1937. Our wandering continents. Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebert, H. 1957. Beitrag zur Gliederung des Präkambriums in Minas Gerais. Geol. Rdsch 45: 471–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egyed, L. 1956. The change of the earth’s dimensions determined from palaeogeo- graphical data.Geofis. pura appl 33: 42–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, M., W. J. Ludwig & J. I. Ewing. 1963. Geophysical investigations in the submerged Argentine coastal plain. Part 1. Buenos Aires to Peninsula Valdez. Bull, geol. Soc. Amer 74: 275–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, M., X. Le Pichon & J. Ewing. 1966. Crustal structure of the Mid-ocean ridges. 4. Sediment distribution in the South Atlantic Ocean and the Cenozoic history of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. J. geophys. Res. 76: 1611–1636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, M., T. Saito, J. L Ewing & L. H. Burckle. 1966. Lower Cretaceous sediments from the northwest Pacific. Science, N.T. 152: 751–755.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flint, R. F. 1957. Glacial and Pleistocene Geology. New York, John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, M. D., C. G. A. Harrison & Y. R. Nayudu. 1966. Magnetic and petrologic studies of sediment found above basalt in experimental Mohole Core EM 7. Bull, Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 50: 566–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaskell, T. F. 1965. Discussion. Phil. Trans. R. Soc 1088: 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, K. W. T. & A. L. Hales. 1961. Preliminary paleomagnetic measurements on Silurian sediments from South Africa.Geophys. J. 5: 318–325.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, S. H. 1930. On the occurrence of Upper Cretaceous marine fossils near Bogenfels, South West Africa. Trans. R. Soc S. Afr. 18: 361–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, S. H. 1953. Gondwanaland and the distribution of early reptiles. Trans, geol. Soc. S. Afr., Annex to vol. 56, A.L. du Toit Mem. Lect. No. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, S. H. (1963). The stratigraphic history of Africa south of the Sahara. Edinburgh and London, Oliver and Boyd Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, S. H., L. J. Krige & A. V. Krige. 1926. On intraformational folding connected with the glacial bed in the Table Mountain sandstone. Trans, geol. Soc. S. Afr. 28: 19–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heezen, B. C. & M. Tharp. 1961. Physiographic diagram of the South Atlantic Ocean. Lamont Geol. Observ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helal, A. H. 1965. On the occurrence and stratigraphic position of Permo-Carboniferous tillites in Saudi-Arabia. Geol. Rdsch. 54: 193–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, D. 1958. Sakmarian Geography. Geol. Rdsch. 47: 590–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hübner, H. 1965. Permokarbonische glazigene und periglaziale Ablagerungen aus dem zentralen Teil des Kongobeckens. Stockh. Contr. Geol. 13: 42–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huene, F. V. 1941. Osteologie und systematische Stellung der Mesosaurier. Palaeonto- graphica 92 (A): 45–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irving, E. 1964. Paleomagnetism and its application to geological and geophysical problems. New York, London, Sydney, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffreys, H. 1952. The Earth. Cambridge Univ. Press. 3rd ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegel, W. 1957. Das Paranaiba-Becken. Geol. Rdsch. 45: 522–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kegel, W. 1965. Lineament-Tektonik in Nordost-Brasihen. Geol. Rdsch. 54: 1240–1260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krömmelbein, K. 1965a. Neue, für Vergleiche mit Westafrika wichtige Ostracoden- Arten der brasilianischen Bahia-Serie (Ober-Jura ?/ Unter-Kreide in Wealden- Fazies). Senckenberg. leth. 46a: 177–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krömmelbein, K. 1965b. Ostracoden aus der nicht-marinen Unter-Kreide (’Westafrikanischer Wealden’) des Congo-Küstenbeckens. Meyniana 15: 59–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohmann, H. 1964. Paläozoische Vereisungen in Brasilien. Geol. Rdsch. 54: 161–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, W. E. 1964. The stratigraphy of the Horlick Mountains. In: R. J. ADIE (ed.) Antarctic Geology, Amsterdam, North-Holland Publishing Comp., p. 152–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, W. E. 1965. Stratigraphy of the Ohio Range, Antarctica. Antarctic Res. Ser., Amer. geophys. Un., 6: 71–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maack, R. 1957. Über Vereisungsperioden und Vereisungsspuren in Brasilien. Geol. Rdsch. 45: 547–595.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maack, R. 1958. Vorläufige Ergebnisse einer Forschungsreise durch Südafrika zum Problem der tangentialen Krustenverschiebung der Erde. Erde, Berl. 89: 284–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maack, R. 1963. Vorläufiger Bericht über eine Forschungsreise durch das Kaokoveld, ein Beitrag zur Frage der tangentialen Krustenverschiebung. Erde, Berl., 94: 247–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malzahn, E. 1957. Devonisches Glazial im Staate Piaui (Brasilien), ein neuer Beitrag zur Eiszeit des Devons. Beih. geol. Jb. 25: 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H. 1953. Notes on the Dwyka succession and some pre-Dwyka valleys in South West Africa.Trans, geol. Soc. S. Afr. 56: 37–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H. 1961. The hypothesis of continental drift in the light of recent advances of geological knowledge in Brazil and in South West Africa. Trans, geol. Soc. S. Afr., Annex to vol. 64, p. 1–47, A. L. du Toit Mem. Lect. No. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H. 1964. The directions of flow of the Itararé ice sheets in the Parana basin, Brazil. Bol. parana. Geogr. No. 10–15: 25–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, E., Et Al. 1952. The problem of land connections across the South Atlantic, with special reference to the Mesozoic. Bull. Amer. Mus. nat. Hist. 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdougall, I. 1963. Potassium-argon age measurements on dolerites from Antarctica and South Africa. J. geophys. Res. 68: 1535–1545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdougall, I.& N. R. Rüegg, 1966. Potassium-argon dates on the Serra Geral Formation of South America.Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 30: 191–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pflug, R. 1963. Präkambrische Strukturen in Afrika und Südamerika, eine Gegenüberstellung. Neues Jb. Geol. Paläont. Mh., no. 7: 355–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumstead, E. P. 1964. Palaeobotany of Antarctica. In: R. I. ADIE (ed.) Antarctic Geology. Amsterdam, North-Holland Publishing Comp., p. 637–654.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuning, E. & F. V. Huene. 1925. Fossilführende Karrooschichten im nördlichen Südwestafrika. Neues Jb. Miner. Geol. Paläont. BeilBd., 52, B: 94–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuning, E.& H. Martin. 1957. Die Prä-Karroolandschaft, die Karroo-Sedimente und Karroo-Eruptivgesteine des südlichen Kaokofeldes in Südwestafrika. Neues Jb. Miner. Geol Paläont. Abh. 91: 193–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saito, T., M. Ewing & L. H. Burckle. 1966. Tertiary sediment from the Mid-Atlantic- Ridge. Science, NT. 151: 1075–1079.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, R. M.& F. W. Lange. 1960. Basin-study approach to oil evalution of Parana miogeosyncline of South Brazil. Bull. Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 44: 1316–1370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzbach, M. 1959. Die Beziehungen zwischen Europa und Amerika als geologisches Problem. Köln. Universitätsreden 23: 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, E. S. W. 1964. Discussion on the relationship of Antarctica to the southern continents. In: R. I. ADIE (ed.) Antarctic Geology. Amsterdam, North-Holland Publishing Comp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Hilten, D. 1964. Evaluation of some geotectonic hypotheses by paleomagnetism. Tectonophys. 1: 3–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. J. 1965. Final Geological Report Artnell Exploration Company of South west Africa. (Unpublished.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. T. 1963. Evidence from islands on the spreading of ocean floors. Nature, Lond. 197: 536–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worzel, L. 1965. Deep structure of coastal margins and Mid-ocean Ridges.Colston Pap. 17: 335–361.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität, Berlinerstraße 28, 34 Göttingen, Germany

    Prof. Dr. Henno Martin

Authors
  1. Prof. Dr. Henno Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

E. J. Fittkau J. Illies H. Klinge G. H. Schwabe H. Sioli

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1969 Dr. W. Junk N.V., Publishers, The Hague

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Martin, H. (1969). A Critical Review of the Evidence for a Former Direct Connection of South America with Africa. In: Fittkau, E.J., Illies, J., Klinge, H., Schwabe, G.H., Sioli, H. (eds) Biogeography and Ecology in South America. Monographiæ Biologicæ, vol 18. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9731-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9731-1_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-9733-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-9731-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation