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The asthenosphere, which is part of the upper mantle, is not completely solid. In fact, it is much like jello, due to the heat and limited pressure. The plates of the crust rest on this floppy layer, and the instability causes them to move about.
Convection currents move the magma, which then move the tectonic plates.

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What did paleomagnetism give strong evidence for?

Paleomagnetism provided strong evidence for plate tectonics, as it revealed that Earth's magnetic field has reversed multiple times throughout history. By studying magnetic minerals in rocks, scientists were able to track the movement of continents and support the theory of plate tectonics.


How long was it before new evidence emerged to support wegener's original theory?

It took several decades before new evidence emerged to support Wegener's original theory of continental drift. In the 1960s, significant discoveries such as seafloor spreading and plate tectonics provided strong evidence to confirm Wegener's ideas. This eventually led to the widespread acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics in the scientific community.


When and why did Alfred's theory become accepted?

Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, proposed in the early 20th century, became widely accepted in the 1960s after additional evidence supporting it was discovered, including seafloor spreading and the existence of magnetic striping on the ocean floor. This evidence provided a mechanism for how continents could move and led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which is now widely accepted in the scientific community.


What new information led to the theory of plate tectonics?

Continental drift, sea floor spreading, glacial striation, jigsaw fit of the continents, geological matches on different contintents (such as type of rock or fossil found) ,earthquakes, and volcanoes led to the theory of plate tectonics.


How did Alfred Wegener prove the theory of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century, suggesting that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart. He provided evidence through geological and fossil similarities across continents, as well as matching coastlines and rock formations. Despite facing initial skepticism, his work laid the foundation for the modern theory of plate tectonics.

Related Questions

What did paleomagnetism give strong evidence for?

Paleomagnetism provided strong evidence for plate tectonics, as it revealed that Earth's magnetic field has reversed multiple times throughout history. By studying magnetic minerals in rocks, scientists were able to track the movement of continents and support the theory of plate tectonics.


Which of the following provided evidence at first for the hypothesis of continental drift and layer for the theory of plate tectonics?

Fossil evidence, particularly fossils of the same species found on different continents, provided initial support for the hypothesis of continental drift. Further evidence from the mapping of the seafloor, such as mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping, led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics.


In 1964 space technologies provided scientists with the best evidence that the universe was created in the Big Bang?

In 1964, the cosmic background radiation was discovered. This provided a strong confirmation for the Big Bang.


What is Harry Hammond Hess famous for?

Harry Hammond Hess is famous for his contributions to the theory of plate tectonics. He proposed the idea of seafloor spreading, which suggested that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then gradually moves away from the ridge. This theory provided key evidence in support of the broader concept of plate tectonics.


How long was it before new evidence emerged to support wegener's original theory?

It took several decades before new evidence emerged to support Wegener's original theory of continental drift. In the 1960s, significant discoveries such as seafloor spreading and plate tectonics provided strong evidence to confirm Wegener's ideas. This eventually led to the widespread acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics in the scientific community.


Who discovered the microraptor?

The microraptor was discovered by a team of paleontologists led by Xu Xing in China in 2000. The fossil of the microraptor is an important discovery as it provided evidence of feathered dinosaurs and their connection to birds.


What was discovered that led to the knowledge that tectonic plates exist?

The discovery of seafloor spreading provided evidence for the existence of tectonic plates. This process involves the movement of oceanic crust away from mid-ocean ridges, indicating that the Earth's lithosphere is composed of separate plates that are in motion. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of plate tectonics.


What 1960's scientific evidence verified the occurrence of the continental drift?

In the 1960s, scientific evidence from studies of paleomagnetism, seismic activity, and ocean floor mapping supported the occurrence of continental drift. This evidence provided crucial support for the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how the Earth's continents move and interact on the surface.


The usefulness of Mendeleev's periodic table was comfirmed by?

Mendeleev's periodic table was confirmed to be useful because it accurately predicted the properties of elements that had not been discovered at the time. When new elements were discovered and found to fit into the gaps Mendeleev had left, it provided strong evidence for the effectiveness of his periodic table in organizing elements based on their properties. This confirmed the periodicity of elements and highlighted the power of the periodic table as a tool for understanding and predicting the behavior of elements.


Is it true that Alfred wegner provided evidence from landforms and climate in support of his theory of the shrinking earth?

No, Alfred Wegener provided evidence from continental drift and fossil distribution to support his theory of plate tectonics, not a shrinking Earth. Wegener's theory suggested that the continents were once connected in a single landmass (Pangaea) and drifted apart over time due to the movement of tectonic plates.


Wegeners idea that tidal forces might cause continental drift was shown to be impossible when it was?

Wegener's idea was shown to be impossible when evidence of the mechanisms that actually drive plate tectonics, such as seafloor spreading and convection currents in the mantle, were discovered. These mechanisms provided a more comprehensive explanation for continental drift than tidal forces.


How did the world react to Marie Tharp's new discovery?

Marie Tharp's new discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was initially met with skepticism by the scientific community, as her findings challenged existing theories of plate tectonics. However, as more evidence emerged supporting her mapping of the ocean floor, her work was eventually accepted and revolutionized the field of geology. Tharp's discovery provided crucial evidence for the theory of continental drift and plate tectonics.