Drifting

While Wegner's theory of continental drift assumed that continents plowed through and over oceanic crust, his basic ideas are still upheld today. As a result of submarines and radar technology used in WWII, scientists were better able to map the seafloor. In doing so they discovered the seafloor's topography, age, magnetism, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. After discovering that the seafloor did spread apart and that continents moved, Wegner's theory gradually became accepted.

Genetic drift is the random change in gene frequencies within a population due to chance events. It can lead to the loss of genetic diversity and the fixation of certain alleles in a population. Genetic drift is more likely to occur in small populations or isolated populations.

The continental drift theory was strengthened by several discoveries of similar species on widely separated continents. The basic idea was that if Continent A, say, Africa, had a fossil of a certain worm on its west coast, while Continent B, South America, had a fossil of the same worm on its eastern coast, it would only make sense that at one time these continents had to be joined to allow for this species to flourish in both areas at once. The only other possible explanation would be that the worms swam across the ocean...which isn't exactly feasible considering that they are, in fact, worms.

While geological research during the sixties had shed new light into the theory, it was J. Tuzo Wilson's proposal of a mechanism for continental drift what led to widespread acceptance of the theory. Proposing a feasible mechanism was something Wegener himself had failed to do, he had only proposed some evidence (complementary coastlines and fossil distributions across continents.) and falsified mechanisms (like Earth's centrifugal pseudoforce).

The primary force that causes continents to drift is believed to be plate tectonics. This theory suggests that the Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. The movement of these plates is driven by processes such as mantle convection and the force generated at mid-ocean ridges.

with a small population size because random fluctuations in allele frequencies can have a larger impact on the overall genetic composition of the population. This can lead to the fixation of certain alleles or loss of others purely due to chance.

The mechanism by which continents spread apart is known as plate tectonics. This theory proposes that the Earth's outer shell is divided into plates that move relative to each other, causing continents to drift apart over geologic time. The driving force behind this movement is believed to be the process of mantle convection, where heat from Earth's interior causes currents in the mantle that move the plates.

Yes. Genetic drift-- the change in allelic frequencies of a population due to chance-- can play a major role in evolution. The effects of drift are most pronounced in small, isolated populations. Drift can bring alleles to fixation very quickly in such populations, and can lead to genetic differentiation between them, possibly contributing to speciation.

The theory that states continents can drift apart from each other is called plate tectonics. It explains how the Earth's lithosphere is divided into large plates that move and interact with each other, leading to processes like continental drift and the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes. This theory is supported by evidence such as the matching coastlines of continents, the distribution of fossils, and the presence of deep ocean trenches.

The first instances of scientists discovering continental drift was primarily by first studying a world map of the continents. This was suggested as early as 1596 by the Dutch map maker Abraham Ortelius in the third edition of his work Thesaurus Geographicus. Ortelius suggested that the Americas, Eurasia and Africa were once joined and have since drifted apart "by earthquakes and floods," creating the modern Atlantic Ocean. For his evidence, he wrote: "The vestiges of the rupture reveal themselves, if someone brings forward a map of the world and considers carefully the coasts of the three continents." Francis Bacon commented on Ortelius' idea in 1620, as did Benjamin Franklin and Alexander von Humboldt in later centuries.

In 1912, Alfred Wegener found 4 types of evidence that supported his theory. First he found that the types of rocks on different coasts where similar to each other; the second was the mountain ranges not only on land but also under the ocean, the third was the noted similarities of fossils found on each continent, and lastly ware the findings of fossils and geologically ancient rocks on Antarctica.

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed and spreads away from the ridge. This process provides evidence for continental drift as it shows that the oceanic crust is younger near the ridges and gets progressively older farther away. This supports the idea that continents were once connected and have since moved apart.

Alfred Wegener's continental drift theory has subsequently been honed by scientific discoveries to the more all-inclusive plate tectonic theory which is generally accepted by earth scientists.

Yes and no. His hypothesis about how the plates were moved eventually was proven wrong, although his hypothesis that the plates had shifted in position over time was proven. The physical evidence in support of continental drift (now referred to as the theory of plate tectonics) began to be considered overwhelming back in the 1960s, with the discovery of the mid-ocean ridges and the accompanying paleomagnetic striping along the sea floor which has recorded magnetic reversals in newly formed crustal rock. More recently, we have measured the rates of motion of each of the continental plates using GPS satellite technology. The fact the plates drift is now indisputable.

Continental drift is the theory that Earth's continents were once all connected as a single supercontinent called Pangaea and have since drifted apart to their current positions over millions of years. This movement is driven by the slow shifting of tectonic plates that make up Earth's crust.

Plate tectonics (from the Late Latin tectonicus, from the Greek: τεκτονικός "pertaining to building")[1] is a scientific theory that describes the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere. The theory builds on the concepts of continental drift, developed during the first decades of the 20th century. It was accepted by the geoscientific community after the concepts of seafloor spreading were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s.Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and thicker continental lithosphere, each topped by its own kind of crust. Along convergent boundaries, subduction carries plates into the mantle; the material lost is roughly balanced by the formation of new (oceanic) crust along divergent margins by seafloor spreading. In this way, the total surface of the globe remains the same. This prediction of plate tectonics is also referred to as the conveyor belt principle. Earlier theories (that still have some supporters) proposed gradual shrinking (contraction) or gradual expansion of the globe.

At the time Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century, there was insufficient evidence to support it. The mechanism of plate tectonics, which explains how continents move, was not understood until later. Additionally, Wegener faced resistance from scientists of his time due to the lack of a plausible mechanism that could explain how continents could drift.

-Shape of continents

-Fossil evidence

-Glacial evidence

-Similar rocks found in dfferent continents

They are actually part of the "same" theory. Seafloor spreading and subduction are the driving forces of continental drift.

Pangaea was the Earth's only continent 4 billion years ago. Tectonic plates are small plates, while continent drift is several tectonic plates moving as a mass (continent). There are 21 large plates and dozens of smaller ones.

Yes, the theory of Pangaea proposes that the continents were once connected in a single landmass that later broke apart and drifted to their current positions. This movement of continents is an ongoing process known as plate tectonics.

Gene flow is typically produced when individuals from different populations interbreed, exchanging genetic material. This can occur through migration, pollination, or other forms of gene transfer between distinct populations.

He could not provide a wholly acceptable explanation for the movement of the continents.

Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912. He suggested that thermal convection currents in the mantle cause the movement of continents over time.

The rigid lithosphere is the zone on Earth's surface that forms drifting tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below and interact with each other at plate boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and mountain formation.

Originally conceived as "continental drift," the theory of plate tectonics explains the motion of Earth's landmasses. However, there is still much debate as to what drives this motion. Explanations include upper mantle convection currents, forces due to gravity, and the effect of the Earth's rotation.