When the plate tectonics theory was proposed, mantle convection currents was the given mechanism to explain what made them move. The continents are embedded within the lithospheric. In this video we will learn how alfred wegener proposed a theory in 1912 that the great continents of the earth had drifted over geological time. Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent. He published his observations in a geological comparison of south america with south africa1927, and later he developed his ideas in our wandering continents 1937. Wegener first presented his theory of continental drift publicly in a lecture on january 6, 1912. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart.
The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. We are taught that modern scientists are driven only by reason and facts. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. Forces like buoyancy, tidal currents and gravity are too weak to be able to move continents. Wegener failed to explain why the drift began only in mesozoic era and not before. Inspect evidence for the theory of continental drift involving plate tectonics and. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one. Proofs heavily depend on assumptions that are generalistic. This was the time when reptiles and winged insects first appeared.
The book was revised in 1920, 1922 and 1929 in response to criticisms of the theory and advances in earth sciences. According to wegeners continental drift theory, all the continents were one single continental mass called a super continent pangaea and a mega ocean surrounded this supercontinent. He wrote the origin of continents and oceans dealing with the theory in 1915. Wegener thought all the continents were once joined together in an urkontinent before breaking up and drifting to. It was first put forward by abraham ortelius in 1596 before fully being developed by albert wegener. Continental drift theory was proposed by alfred wegener in 1912. The rejection of continental drift uc press journals. Continental drift theory continental drift is the hypothesis that all the continents had once been joined together in a single landmass. Explain how the theory of plate tectonics covers this aspect thus becoming an improvement over continental drift theory. There he argued for the separation of wegeners pangea into the two super continents, laurasia and gondwana. Third, and most fundamental, physicists discovered radiogenic heat, which contradicted the basic assumption of contraction theory that the earth was steadily cooling. Alfred wegenerfrom continental drift to plate tectonics article pdf available in resonance 106. Theory of continental drift the continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener.
Pdf alfred wegenerfrom continental drift to plate tectonics. Continental drift is now explained as a consequence of moving plates. 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. However, historical evidence demonstrates that continental drift was rejected in spite.
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