Wegener believed that continental drift was the result of centrifugal force and tidal attraction, but the scientific community found the argument weak. Continental drift wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Groundbreaking research by alfred wegener reveals the phenomenon of continental drift. Alfred wegener developed the modern theory of continental drift. Plate tectonics continental drift from circa 1911 alfred wegener, after being influenced by a scientific paper he had come across that listed fossils of identical plants and animals found on opposite sides of the atlantic, began proposing a then most controversial theory which held that the continents of the earth had once been joined together but had drifted apart through a process that he. He published his observations in a geological comparison of south america with south africa1927, and later he developed his ideas in our wandering continents1937. Theory of continental drift the continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. His theory was rejected by most geologists during his lifetime but was resurrected and made a central feature of modern geology as part of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s. Continental drift 100 greatest discoveries youtube. In a few cases, the drifting fragments subsequently collided. The concept was independently and more fully developed by alfred wegener in 1912, but his theory was rejected by many for. Taylor and the german alfred wegener, put forward a theory called continental drift. Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other, thus appearing to have drifted across the ocean bed.
Evidence of glaciations at about the same age across south america and africa further supported the theory. Continental drift theory by wegener smooth knowledge. Wegeners theory contained features, such as the notion that the average elevation of the continents would increase over time, that simply arent true. Pangaea then split, and its pieces drifted, or moved, apart over millions of years to form todays continents. Alfred wegenerfrom continental drift to plate tectonics article pdf available in resonance 106. As weve studied this idea over the decades, however, it has come to be the accepted theory of. Creator of the continental drift theory makers of modern science yount, lisa on. Set forth in 1912 by alfred wegener, a geophysicist and meteorologist, continental drift also. He wrote the origin of continents and oceans dealing with the theory in 1915.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Continental drift appeared to solve many of these questions. This explanation and his theory were not widely accepted. The continental drift theory also provided for a better explanation of how mountains form orogenesis, and why they formed at different times than earlier theories. However, wegeners research was largely ignored by his contemporaries. This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil. According to continental drift theory there existed one big landmass which he called pangaea which was covered by one big ocean called panthalassa. Alfred wegener continental drift theory explained hrf. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Inspect evidence for the theory of continental drift involving plate tectonics.
Plate tectonics was orii lliginally call dlled the theory of ci lcontinental drift originated by alfred wegener. Alfred wegeners theory of continental drift became mdm. Why was alfred wegeners continental drift theory rejected. Wegener was a german meteorologist, geophysicist and polar researcher. He suggested that the continents had once been joined as a single landmass. Oreskes, naomi 2002, continental drift pdf, in munn, ted. In 1915 he published the origin of continents and oceans, which outlined his theory of continental drift. Continental drift and plate tectonics university of iceland. Wegener thought continental drift was the key to these climatic puzzles, so he and vladimir koppen plotted ancient deserts, jungles, and ice sheets on paleogeographic maps based on wegeners theory. Wegener believed that continental drift was the result of centrifugal force and tidal attraction, but the scientific community. Oceans, a book outlining wegeners theory, was published. In the early 20th century, wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were drifting across the earth. In 1930 he visited greenland for the last time, where he died shortly after his fiftieth birthday. The reaction to alfred wegener s theory tells us much about the workings of science.
Continental drift theory no need to take notes i have taken them for you slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Ocean, and the indian block drifted across the equator to merge with asia. Alfred wegeners theory of continental drift alfred wegener is an extremely important thinker in the development of modern plate tectonic theory. Wegener was a member of four expeditions to greenland. Wegener hypothesized in the early twentieth century around 60 years before the validation of his idea, and presented his idea on 6 january 1912, that all of the continents had once been. Alfred wegener and theory of continental drift youtube.
Continental drift theory alfred wegener, 1922 plate tectonics breakup of pangea. He supposed the cause might be the centrifugal force of the earths rotation polflucht or the astronomical precession. The development of the theory of continental drift and plate tectonics illustrates the. Gradually it broke up into smaller fragments which drifted away to form the present continents. Wegener and his theory of continental drift springerlink. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart. Continental drift was really not allowable as even an accepted theory until the 1950s. Although alfred wegener was able to produce a viable hypothesis with evidence and specifically state the theory, it should be noted there were previous. From 1912, wegener publicly advocated the theory of continental drift, arguing that all the continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have drifted apart. Alfred wegener was a german scientist trained in astronomy, but he had a strong interest in geology as well.
Wegeners theory of continental drift in 1912 a german scientist names alfred wegener presented his theory of continental drift to the scientific community. Alfred wegeners lost cause for his continental drift theory. Continental drift plates in the crust of the earth, according to the plate tectonics theory from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia continental drift is the movement of the earths continents relative to each other. What are six things that supported wegener s theory of continental drift. Alfred wegener, an astronomer by training and meteorologist by profession, visualised that there was once a single very large landmass on the surface of the earth. Wegener acknowledged taylors contribution as much more important, first of all because the american scientist had introduced continental mobility as an essential constituent of the. The development of the theory is an excellent example of the application of the scientific method. A masterful biography of alfred wegener 18801930, the german scientist who discovered continental drift. There he argued for the separation of wegeners pangea into the two super continents, laurasia and gondwana. Wegener first presented his theory of continental drift publicly in a lecture on january 6, 1912.
List and describe some of the evidence for the theory of continental drift. Long ago there was a super continent called pangaea. The theory of continental drift continental drift discovery the world alfred wegener theory of continental drift continental drift p95 red book, 182 in sciencesaurus theory that continents were once part of a single landmass that broke apart and have moved to their present locations. Alfred wegeners theory of continental drift environment. Wegeners theory was widely discussed in the 1920s and early 1930s. Alfred wegeners contemporaries rejected his theory of continental drift because it challenged many established scientific theories at the time, and he lacked a compelling explanation for the cause of continental drift. Start studying alfred wegener and continental drift. Most geologists accepted the theory as quite possible before 1970. Wegeners continental drift theory a catchy phrase adopted mainly by his critics, as wegener talks more general of displacement theory was received with mixed feelings. Wegener formed a hypothesis which stated all the continents were once. Based on the fit of the coastlines, fossil evidence, rock types, and mountain ranges found on separate continents, alfred wegener developed a new theory he called continental drift. Alfred wegeners hypothesis on continental drift and its. Continental drift the theory of continental drift is defined as the movement of the earths continents relative to each other, thereby appearing to drift together across the oceanic bed.
And plate tectonics supplies a mechanics for moving the continents involving convection in the earths mantle, something that. Wegener and his theory of continental drift indian academy of. He called this supercontinent pangaea, a greek word that means all the earth. Wegener formed the theory of continental drift in 1912. Alfred wegeners continental drift theory faced fierce resistance initially, partially because of his outsider status, and partially due to his ideas of how the continents fit together. There he argued for the separation of wegener s pangea into the two super continents, laurasia and gondwana. Another important piece of evidence in the continental drift theory is the fossil relevance. According to wegners theory, there was only one large continent 300 million years ago. These anonymous soldiers soon come to represent not only the range of human tragedy in the war but also the possibility of redemption. The speculation that continents might have drifted was first put forward by abraham ortelius in 1596. Crustal rocks near the midocean ridges are always very young, while the ocean crust along continental margins, furthest away from the ridges, is hundreds of millions of years older. Alfred wegener, german meteorologist and geophysicist who formulated the first complete statement of the continental drift hypothesis. Continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on earths surface.
The viewpoint includes a description of the theory, the evidence to support it, and reasons why some people did not support it. Prior to wegener, however, many had noted that the shapes of the continents seem to fit together, suggesting some schism in the past. In his work, wegener presented a large amount of very strong evidence in support of continental drift, but the mechanism remained elusive. The frontal edges of westward movement of continental blocks of north and south america were crumpled and folded against the resistance of the rocks of the sea floor and thus, the western cordilleras of the. The book was revised in 1920, 1922 and 1929 in response to criticisms of the theory and advances in earth sciences. Was alfred wegeners theory of continental drift accepted. Alfred wegener and continental drift flashcards quizlet. Some of the earliest evidence confirming wegeners theories of continental drift was revealed when geologists measured the age of the ocean floor.
Wegener and continental drift theory how we interpret the science of centuries past cannot be. Wegener was a german scientist who was one of the first academics to suggest the theory of continental drift. Winner of the choice outstanding academic title of the choice acrl alfred wegener aimed to create a revolution in science which would rank with those of nicolaus copernicus and charles darwin. An analysis of the evidence and resistance to alfred wegeners theories of pangea and continental drifts. Pdf alfred wegenerfrom continental drift to plate tectonics. He named this continent pangaea from the greek for all the earth, and pronounced pangeeuh. A viewpoint on the theory of continental drift, developed by alfred wagener. Alfred wegener suggested continental drift theory in the 1920s. Although wegeners theory was formed independently and was more complete than those of his predecessors. Wegener hypothesis of continental drift a catchy phrase adopted mainly by the critics, as wegener talks more general of displacement theory was received with mixed feelings. According to continental drift theory there existed one big landmass which he called pangaea which was covered by. There are various examples of fossils found on separate continents and in no other regions.
Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free. Creator of the continental drift theory makers of modern science. Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. Continental drift is the theory that the earths continents have moved over geologic time relative. View test prep wegener and continental drift theory from science 12 at creighton preparatory school. Wegener thought all the continents were once joined together in an urkontinent before breaking up and drifting to. Plate tectonics represents a total shift of scientific paradigm. Suddenly the pieces of the puzzles fell into place, producing simple, plausible pictures of past climates.
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