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The idea that the continents might have moved, or "drifted" over time can be traced back to the sixteenth century, when European cartographers compiled world maps based on the seagoing expeditions of that time. This idea was transformed into the theory of "continental drift" by German meteorologist Alfred Wegener in 1912, when he published a treatise with several lines of supporting evidence that went beyond simply matching the continents like puzzle pieces. These lines of evidence included, for example, matching geological formations and paleontological distributions from South America and Africa. Wegener's critics correctly pointed out, however, that the continents could not simply "plow" though the ocean floor as Wegener had vaguely theorized. It was Hess who determined how oceanic mountain ranges, called mid-ocean ridges, are fundamental to the tectonic movement that results in the drift of continents.

Basically, he used echolocation to map the sea floor and proved that continental drift does occur.

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What was the theory Harry Hess proposed?

he proposed that mid-ocean ridges were areas where the floors of oceans had split apart


Who proposed the theory of seafloor spreading based on maps of the ocean floor?

The theory of seafloor spreading was proposed by Harry Hess, a geologist and Navy officer, in the early 1960s. He proposed that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then spreads outward. This theory helped to explain the mechanism behind continental drift and plate tectonics.


What was not included in the support for Harry Hess's hypothesis of sea floor spreading?

One aspect not included in the support for Harry Hess's hypothesis of sea floor spreading was the lack of direct evidence of the mechanisms driving the process, such as mantle convection. Additionally, the age and magnetic anomalies of the ocean floor were not fully understood at the time, which limited the initial acceptance of his ideas. Furthermore, the concept of plate tectonics, which later provided a comprehensive framework for understanding sea floor spreading, was not yet developed during Hess's proposal in the early 1960s.


What did Hess's theory become known as?

Hess's theory became known as the theory of sea-floor spreading. This theory proposed that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, then moves away from the ridges, carrying continents with it.


Which was not included in the support for harry hess's hypothesis of sea-floor spreading?

One key piece of support that was not included in the initial support for Harry Hess's hypothesis of seafloor spreading was the mechanism of plate tectonics. This idea was developed and integrated into the theory of seafloor spreading by geologists like Robert Dietz and J. Tuzo Wilson at a later stage.

Related Questions

What was the theory Harry Hess proposed?

he proposed that mid-ocean ridges were areas where the floors of oceans had split apart


What was Harry Hess's discovory?

sea floor spreading


Who suggested sea floor spreading?

Harry Hess


Who proposed sea floor spreading?

Harry Hess YAY;-)


Who came up with sea floor spreading?

Harry Hess =)


What was harry Hess important scientific contribution?

sea floor spreading


Who discovered Seafloor Spreading?

Henry H. hess


When did harry hess propose seafloor spreading?

Harry Hess proposed the idea of seafloor spreading in the early 1960s, with his initial proposal being presented in 1960. This concept revolutionized our understanding of plate tectonics and the movement of the Earth's lithosphere.


Who had the theory of sea floor spreading?

Harry Hess came up with the theory of seafloor spreading . Alfred Wegener came up with the idea of continental drift NOT sea-floor spreading.


Who had the sea floor spreading theory?

Harry Hess came up with the theory of seafloor spreading . Alfred Wegener came up with the idea of continental drift NOT sea-floor spreading.


Who proposed the theory of seafloor spreading based on maps of the ocean floor?

The theory of seafloor spreading was proposed by Harry Hess, a geologist and Navy officer, in the early 1960s. He proposed that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then spreads outward. This theory helped to explain the mechanism behind continental drift and plate tectonics.


What is the process in which new sea floor forms as older sea floor is pulled apart?

Seafloor Spreading created by harry hess