Continental Drift Theory by Alfred Wegener

What is the Continental Drift Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener?

Was the theory widely accepted during Wegener's time?

Continental Drift Theory by Alfred Wegener

The Continental Drift Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener suggests that all continents were once joined as a single landmass called Pangaea. Over millions of years, these continents drifted apart to their current positions on Earth's surface.

During Wegener's time, was the Continental Drift Theory widely accepted?

Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist, introduced the Continental Drift Theory in the early 20th century. He observed that the shapes of the continents seemed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle and that similar fossils and rock formations were found on different continents.

Unfortunately, Wegener's theory was not widely accepted during his time. The scientific community had difficulty understanding the mechanism of how continents could move across the Earth's surface. Additionally, Wegener lacked evidence to explain the forces that drove continental drift.

It wasn't until later, with advancements in technology and the development of the theory of plate tectonics, that Wegener's ideas were vindicated. Today, the Continental Drift Theory is a fundamental concept in geology and helps us understand the dynamic processes that shape our planet.