The physical absurdities of wegeners theory rested on his conviction that continents cut their way through the ocean floor. Continental drift or movement of tectonic plate first introduce by wegener, 1920. Moreover, many scientists challenged that evidence. As molten rock rises from the earth, it forms new crust between the plates. He defended his theory against a chorus of cri ticism for about two decades and constantly sought evidence to strengthen it. Provide some evidences to support it and its limitation wegener took inspiration from a map of continents to explain the earths geologic history.
This, however, is poorly supported by biogeographic data. Similar plant and animal fossils on the shores of distant continents all land on earth fits together like a jigsaw puzzle. Booden, a common stance in the literature is that it is perfectly legitimate to inquire into the pros and cons on the geology alone. Nov 24, 2016 continental drift or movement of tectonic plate first introduce by wegener, 1920. This lab is designed to get your students engaged, collaborating, and moving in your daily lesson. Introduction to theory and evidence of continental drift. Feb, 2014 regarding the first critical question posed by dr.
And yes, correct, thats how scientific theory works if evidence is provided to prove the theory and none against, it becomes a theory and becomes generally accepted. Scientists standing both for and against continental drift theory in the 1960s and 1970s were largely not familiarized with paleomagnetic evidence, so it can hardly explain the closure of the controversy. Continental drift an overview sciencedirect topics. 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. Explanation of the continental drift theory in the light of vertebrate distribution. Styles of thought on the continental drift debate springerlink. Start studying evidence for continental drift theory. The evidence which gave rise to the theory of continental drift more correctly called plate tectonics includes the following.
Continental drift and the more recent science of plate tectonics are now the bedrock of modern geology. Alfred was trying to get his girlfriends father to like him. Nov 29, 2012 a brief introduction to alfred wegeners theory of continental drift, which would lay the groundwork for the development of plate tectonic theory, which essentially explains the geology of the. Phytogeography and zoogeographyrafting vs continental drift. Continental drift wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, and continental.
Fossils certain fossils preserved in rocks of the same age but from different continents. Choose from 500 different sets of continental drift theory evidence flashcards on quizlet. The concept of continental drift is more than 175 yr old meyerhoff, 1968. It combines the continental drift theory proposed in 1912 by alfred wegener in germany. When continental drift was considered pseudoscience. Measuring the impact of the paleomagnetic evidence in the closure of the controversy. Although all of the continents could fit together like a puzzle, this is simply not enough evidence for such a large theory of science. 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. The causes of continental drift are perfectly explained by the plate tectonic theory. The continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. Later, seismometersinstruments that measure the motions of the groundand other technologies showed that continental drift was real. The first truly detailed and comprehensive theory of continental drift was proposed in 1912 by alfred wegener, a german meteorologist.
There he argued for the separation of wegeners pangea into the two super continents, laurasia and gondwana. He published his observations in a geological comparison of south america with south africa1927, and later he developed his ideas in our wandering continents1937. What evidence is there of the continental drift theory. Trained as a meteorologist, he was intrigued by the interlocking fit of africa. This evidence for continental drift gave geologists renewed interest in. Another indication of continental drift is tectonic activity and seafloor spreading. Jan 01, 2009 ive found a lot of evidence supporting continental drift rocks, plants, animal, shapes, ice matches and the climate but. The coasts of the continents surrounding the atlantic ocean could, if the continents were moved closer, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Theory of continental was purposed by alferedwegner in 1912 3. Continental drift theory peninsular india paleontological. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. Continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Dec 19, 2017 continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on earths surface. In the early 20th century, wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were drifting across the earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other.
Forces like buoyancy, tidal currents and gravity are too weak to be able to move continents. Continental drift theory evidences and limitations question throw some light on theory of continental drift. His evidence included the fit of the continents, similar fossils on different continents, glacier evidence in australia, and the alignment. Station activity includes activities covering pangaea, alfred wegener, and different forms of evidence for continental drift theory. The theory of continental drift was proposed at the beginning of the last century by german scientist alfred wegener. What arguments were used against wegeners theory of. Continental drift theory evidences and limitations. Proofs heavily depend on assumptions that are generalistic. Early ideas about continental drift what is the evidence for continental drift. Fossils wegener learned that the fossils of an ancient reptile, mesosaurus mehzuhsawruhs, had been discovered in south america and western africa. Consider some scientific theory that currently enjoys widespread acceptance among members of the relevant scientific communityfor example, the theory of continental drift.
He believed that earth contains a plate which move one place to another. But the credit for the theory is given to alfred wegener see inside of back cover because he first provided a detailed and reasoned exposition of the theory of continental drift. While making this claim, he had a collection of evidence to support it. 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. Thats what happened with continental drift, thats is what happened with the curvature of the earth, thats what happened with germs, and thats what happened with. Wegeners theory of continental drift could not be taken seriously because he did not present it as a proven theory, nor did he have factual evidence that clearly stated why his theory could. Continental drift theory peninsular india paleontological evidence. As stated before the theory of continental drift has strong points of evidence one being the physical feature, how all of the continents, for the most part, fit together like puzzle pieces for example, africa and south america. When continental drift was considered pseudoscience more than 100 years ago, a german scientist was ridiculed for advancing the shocking idea that the continents were adrift. Gondwanaland makes up the southern continents of today. This is because convection cell currents have not been proved conclusively to exist due to technological limitations we have never been able to get deep enough into earth to prove the theory. Alfred wegener proposed that the continents had once been massed together in a single supercontinent and then gradually drifted apart. Bringing together a large mass of geologic and paleontological data, wegener postulated that throughout most of geologic time there was only one continent, which he called pangea. Continental drift theory no need to take notes i have taken them for you 2.
Wegener provided four main pieces of evidence to support his theory that the continents had been drifting over time. What makes the theory of continental drift worthy of being believed by contemporary geologists. In this article we will discuss about continental drift. Continental drift was a revolutionary scientific theory developed in the years 19081912 by alfred wegener 18801930, a german meteorologist, climatologist, and geophysicist, that put forth the hypothesis that the continents had all originally been a part of one enormous landmass or supercontinent about 240 million years ago before breaking apart and drifting to. Wegener said that continents move around on earths surface and that they were once joined together as a single supercontinent.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In this lesson we looked at the theory of continental drift, an idea put forward by german scientist alfred wegener. Scientists agree that continents rest on rocks called tectonic plates, which shift and move. Fundamental concepts and the phenomenal conception1 thomas kelly. When continental drift was considered pseudoscience science. Wegeners theory of continental drift could not be taken seriously because he did not present it as a proven theory, nor did he have factual evidence that clearly stated why his theory could be true. The validation of continental drift stephen jay gould. Apr 06, 20 and yes, correct, thats how scientific theory works if evidence is provided to prove the theory and none against, it becomes a theory and becomes generally accepted. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart. The southern continent consists of south america, antarctica, australia, india, and africa.
Mar 12, 2020 continental drift, largescale horizontal movement of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. Wegener failed to explain why the drift began only in mesozoic era and not before. As indicated earlier, although a broad array of evidence provided by wegener and his predecessors gave a strong indication of wegeners farreaching hypothesis of continental drift, reliable hypotheses or theories that provide an adequate explanation of the forces responsible for the hypothesized continental drift were lacking. What makes the theory of continental drift worthy of being believed by. At the time of his death in 1930, the technology needed to validate continental drift was still decades away. Learn continental drift theory evidence with free interactive flashcards. This concept was an important precursor to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which incorporates it. The theory of continental drift is most associated with the scientist alfred wegener. Dec 16, 2019 continental drift theory cdt continental drift refers to the movement of the continents relative to each other. Glacier deposits mountain ranges from different continents align and are composed of the same materials.
According to the hypothesis of continental drift, continents have moved slowly to their current locations. Alfred wegener, pangea, and the evidence for continental. Set forth in 1912 by alfred wegener, a geophysicist and meteorologist, continental drift also. Continental drift evidence the evidence which gave rise to the theory of continental drift more correctly called plate tectonics includes the following. The earths outer shell is composed of plates that move a little bit every year. The speculation that continents might have drifted was first put forward by abraham ortelius in 1596. Tectonics of the terrestrial planets the three types of plate boundaries hot spots and mantle plumes plate movement and motion.
Evidence for continental drift a map of the continents inspired wegeners quest to explain earths geologic history. Before wegener developed his theory, it was thought that mountains formed. Darwin, continental drift, and evolution first century. A brief introduction to alfred wegeners theory of continental drift, which would lay the groundwork for the development of plate tectonic theory, which essentially explains the geology of the. Ive found a lot of evidence supporting continental drift rocks, plants, animal, shapes, ice matches and the climate but. Evidence for continental drift wegener gathered evidence for his hypothesis from fossils, from studies of ancient climate, and from the geology of continents. Alfred wegener, pangea, and the evidence for continental drift.
What then was the evidence wegener, du toit, and oth ers used to support the hypothesis of continental drift. Mesosaurus small fresh water reptile glossopteris plant remains. Through the theory of continental drift, humans have been able to figure out how the earths crust moves and the causes of volcanoes, earthquakes, oceanic trenches, formation of mountain ranges and other geological occurrences. What are the arguments against expanding earth theory. Jul 24, 2019 continental drift was a revolutionary scientific theory developed in the years 19081912 by alfred wegener 18801930, a german meteorologist, climatologist, and geophysicist, that put forth the hypothesis that the continents had all originally been a part of one enormous landmass or supercontinent about 240 million years ago before breaking apart and drifting to their current locations.
Scientists have discovered that continents have moved from their current. When continental drift came into fashion during the late 1960s, the classical data from continental rocks played no role at all. Argument against continental drift lucy sebranek extension. Among geologists, the generally accepted model has the supercontinent gondwana rifting to form the atlantic ocean, with africa splitting off from south america about 120 ma ago. Plate tectonics combines these older concepts continental drift by means of seafloor spreading with those of convection or a similar mechanism and polar wandering. Wegener noticed that if we could move present day continents around, several continents look like they would fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Theory of continental drift the continental drift hypothesis was developed in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by alfred wegener. A plausible and popular answer is that the evidence possessed. Alfred wegener proposed the theory of continental drift. Earths magnetic field paleomagnetism and polar wandering magnetic reversals and seafloor spreading plate tectonics.
Continental drift theory cdt continental drift refers to the movement of the continents relative to each other. Polar wandering similar to continental drift theory polar wandering is the relative movement of the earths crust and upper mantle with respect to the rotational poles of the earth. Jan 04, 2016 introduction to theory and evidence of continental drift. More evidence that supported wegeners theory of continental drift climate clues o he found evidence of glaciers in tropical areas. Sea floor spreading further supports the continental drift theory.
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