Continental Drift Theory

by:
Crisencio M. Paner

Ph.D. in Biological Science (student)

The Continental Drift Theory

Continental drift is the movement of the Earth's continents relative to each other. The hypothesis that continents 'drift' was first put forward by Abraham Ortelius in 1596 and was fully developed by Alfred Wegener in 1912.

The Continental Drift Theory

However, it was not until the development of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s, that a sufficient geological explanation of that movement was found.

The Continental Drift Theory

Early History
Abraham Ortelius (1597), Francis Bacon (1625), Benjamin Franklin, Antonio SniderPellegrini (1858), and others had noted earlier that the shapes of continents on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean (most notably, Africa and South America) seem to fit together.

The Continental Drift Theory

The hypothesis that the continents had once formed a single landmass before breaking apart and drifting to their present locations was fully formulated by Alfred Wegener in 1912.

The Continental Drift Theory

Although Wegener's theory was formed independently and was more complete than those of his predecessors, Wegener later credited a number of past authors with similar ideas: Franklin Coxworthy (between 1848 and 1890),Roberto Mantovani (between 1889 and 1909), William Henry Pickering (1907) and Frank Bursley Taylor (1908).

Earth ~220 million years ago

Continental Drift: Evidence

Geographic fit of South America and Africa Fossils match across oceans

Rock types and structures match across oceans Ancient glacial features

Continental Drift: Evidence

Tight fit of the continents, especially using continental shelves.

Continental Drift: Evidence

Fossil critters and plants

Reconstruction of a Glossopteris plant: a) A Glossopteris tree; b) the pollen producing organ (Eretmonia); c) a seedbearing organ attached to a Glossopteris leaf; d-g) examples of different types of Glossopteris fructification.

Continental Drift: Evidence

Correlation of mountains with nearly identical rocks and structures

Continental Drift: Evidence

Glacial features of the same age restore to a tight polar distribution.

Plate motions also can be looked at into the future, and we can have a stab at what the geography of the planet will be like. Perhaps in 250 million years time there will be a new supercontinent.

Continental Drift: Reactions

Received well hemisphere.

in

Europe

and

southern

Rejected in U.S., where scientists staunchly preferred induction (incremental progress built on observation) over what they perceived as speculative deduction.

Continental Drift: Reactions

Lack of a suitable mechanism crippled continental drifts widespread acceptance. Conflict remained unresolved because seafloors were almost completely unexplored.

It was not until the 1960's that further data led to the development of a theory of plate tectonics that could explain the movement of continents.

BACKGROUND OF CRISENCIO M. PANER Ph.D. in Biological Science (Candidate), UST M.S. in Microbiology, UST B.S. Biochemistry, UST Italian Government Scholar College Scholar Certificate in Education 10th Placer Licensure Exams for Teachers (1998) 20 years of experience as a teacher (College, High School, Elementary) Expert in Internet, Computer (Software, Hardware, and Repair) Researcher and Blogger Art Restorer/Conservator Publication: Prime Journal of Microbiology Research http://primejournal.org/PJMR/abstract/2012/may/Paner.htm http://primejournal.org/PJMR/cont/2012/may.htm TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME, PLS. CLICK THE FF. LINKS:
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