Continental Drift Theory and Alfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener's Contribution

• Developed the theory of Continental Drift

Timeline

• Alfred Wegener passed away in 1930

Solving the Mystery of the Drifting Continents

• Key clue: Fit of the continents, like a jigsaw puzzle
• Solution: Seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges

Ocean Floor Mapping

• Heightened interest after World War II due to the development of new technologies, such as sonar and submarines

Main Idea

• The passage discusses the solving of the mystery of the drifting continents, from Wegener's theory to the discovery of seafloor spreading

Seafloor Discoveries

• Discovery of magnetic reversals on the ocean floor led to the understanding of plate tectonics
• Finding cracks in the earth's crust, or lithosphere, provided evidence for plate movement

Physical Evidence

• The first physical evidence that the lithosphere actually moved on the surface of the earth was the discovery of mid-ocean ridges

Scientific Realization

• After solving the mystery, scientists realized that the Earth's surface is dynamic, with moving plates shaping our planet

Learn about Alfred Wegener and his theory of continental drift, which was initially dismissed but later gained credibility with new evidence and mechanisms for continental movement. Explore how geologic investigators have contributed to the understanding of the earth's surface.