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Alfred Wegener was a German born Geologist and Meteorologist. He proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912 expanding on work done by an earlier scientist Abraham Ortelius in 1596.

He was first given the idea because of the shape of the continents. He was convinced that shape of the Western Africa and South America was more than mere coincidence. He also argues that the Coastlines of North America could fit onto Europe and that Antarctica, India, Australia, Madagascar and the southern tip of South America could also be fitted together as though they were a giant jigsaw. Although the evidence was compelling many scientist argued that there was just not enough sufficient evidence.

In order to get more evidence for his theory he analysed the rocks from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and found significant similarities in rock types and distribution.

He even guessed correctly that the the Atlantic was spreading out from the Mid Atlantic Ridge.

It was not until the theory of plate techtonics was developed in the 1960's that it was widely excepted.

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Why did geologists in the Southern Hemisphere accept wegners theory?

Geologists in the Southern Hemisphere accepted Wegener's theory of continental drift because they observed similar geological features and fossil assemblages across continents, providing evidence of past connections. Additionally, the fit of continents like South America and Africa suggested they were once joined. This, along with other data, supported the idea of continental drift.


Who first suggested there was a pangeae or a continental drift?

In the year 1911 a German meteorologist noticed that the contents looked like the fit in together. Wegner (Veg-ner) did some research regarding the subject. Wegners theory states that parts of the Earths crust slowly drift atop a liquid core. Landforms fossils and climates helped support his theory. There were two big flaws in Wegners theory; there was no feasible explanation for the cause of Continental drift because you can be on top of something liquid and not move and that there was no evidence that continents plowed through the ocean basin. No one believed Wegner's theory. 20 years later Wegner died and then after another 20 years we developed the technology and proved Wegners theory.


Who is Alferd Wegener?

Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist and geophysicist who is best known for proposing the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century. He hypothesized that the continents were once connected in a single supercontinent called Pangaea and have since drifted apart. Although his theory was initially met with skepticism, it laid the foundation for our understanding of plate tectonics.


What edvience supported Wegners hypothesis?

Wegner's hypothesis of continental drift was supported by evidence such as the jigsaw-like fit of continents, similarities in rock formations and geological structures across continents, and matching fossil evidence found on different continents. Additionally, the discovery of mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping on the ocean floor provided further evidence for the movement of continents.


The early development of the theory of plate tectonics was supported by which of these observations?

The early development of the theory of plate tectonics was supported by observations such as the fit of continents, similar rock formations across continents, and the distribution of earthquakes and volcanic activity along plate boundaries.

Related Questions

What was the major problem with wegners theory of continental drift?

The main problem with Wegners theory of continental drift was that at the time he proposed it he had no real proof.


Where does greenland join during wegners theory?

Somewhere in Euroasia....


What is the name of the scientist that developed the theory of plate tectonics?

Alferd Wegner


What was Wegners major contribution to scientific knowledge?

Wegner was the man who established the theory of "continental drift" in 1912


Where the idea of plate tectonics came from?

this is easy! I LEARNED IT IN SCIENCE! WERGNER DICOVERED IT. WEGNERS EARLIER THEORY OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT WAS REEXAMMINED AND A NEW THEORY WAS BORN ............................ THE THEORY OF PLATE TECTONICS


What name did alferd Wegener give to his theory of the horizontal movement of the earths crust?

Alfred Wegener named his theory of the horizontal movement of the Earth's crust "continental drift."


What happens when a hypothesis is not supported?

well if is not supported then is not a theory.


When was Alferd Packer born?

Alferd Packer was born on 1842-01-21.


When did Alferd Packer die?

Alferd Packer died on 1907-04-23.


Copernicus created a model that supported this theory?

heliocentric theory


What process did harry hess discover to make alferd wegners theory more accepted?

He discovered that the ocean floor moves like a conveyor belt, carrying the continents with them. This process begins at the mid-ocean ridge. Old oceanic crust go back to the mantle through trenches and molten material comes out of the mid-ocean ridge, making new crust. Harry Hess called this constant process sea-floor spreading.


What was Albert Einstein's stance on the theory of evolution?

Albert Einstein supported the theory of evolution and believed in the scientific evidence that supported it.