The Continental Drift Theory was propounded by Alfred Wegener.

The Continental Drift Theory is one of the fundamental concepts in the field of Earth Sciences. It explains the movement of the Earth's continents over time and how they have changed their positions relative to each other.

Alfred Wegener:
- Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist, geophysicist, and polar researcher who first proposed the idea of continental drift in 1912.
- He was inspired by the observation that the coastlines of Africa and South America seemed to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
- Wegener noticed other similarities between the two continents, such as the presence of identical fossils and geological structures.
- Based on these observations, he hypothesized that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass he called "Pangaea" and had since drifted apart.

Evidence for Continental Drift:
- Fossil Evidence: Similar fossils of plants and animals were found on different continents that are now separated by vast oceans. For example, the Mesosaurus found in South America and Africa suggests that these continents were once connected.
- Rock Strata: The alignment of similar rock formations across continents supports the idea of their past connection. The Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe are examples of such alignment.
- Paleoclimatic Evidence: Wegener also used evidence from ancient climates to support his theory. He showed that glacial deposits and evidence of past glaciations were found in regions that are currently too warm for ice to form, indicating that these areas were once located in different climatic zones.

Rejection and Acceptance:
- Wegener's theory faced significant opposition from the scientific community during his time. One of the main criticisms was that he could not provide a plausible mechanism for the movement of continents.
- It was not until the 1960s when new evidence emerged in the form of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics that Wegener's theory gained widespread acceptance.
- Seafloor spreading, discovered by Harry Hess, provided a mechanism for the movement of continents. It explained how new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and spreads out, pushing the continents apart.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Continental Drift Theory was propounded by Alfred Wegener. His observations of the fit between continents, the presence of similar fossils, and the alignment of rock formations provided evidence for the movement of continents over time. Although initially met with skepticism, his theory gained acceptance with the discovery of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.