Wegener proposed the continental drift theory, and provided scientific evidences for such, but couldn't explain the mechanism or processes behind the movement of continents. It was difficult for anyone to imagine how entire continents might move. It wasn't until the mid-twentieth century with the discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and sea floor spreading that the processes causing plate movements began to be understood and led to the science of plate tectonics.
Wegener was also a meteorologist and this was not in his field of science, resulting in skepticism by the establishment geologists of his time.
Because scientists had spent over 70 years gathering information about the Earth and how it worked, and Wegener's theory completely rewrote geology, and the scientific community would have to start everything they knew about the continents from scratch.
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
the "continental drift" hypothesiswas proposed by a German meteorologist named Alfred Wegener in 1910
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener studied volcanoes. He was a German scientist who proposed the idea of the continental drift.
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of continental drift in 1915
the "continental drift" hypothesiswas proposed by a German meteorologist named Alfred Wegener in 1910
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener
Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift at the beginning of the 20th century. His idea was that the Earth's continents were once joined together, but gradually moved apart over millions of years. The idea was rejected at first as he was a Meteorologist and not regarded as a proper scientist.
Alfred Wegener first proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912.
The theory of continental drift and plate tectonics
Alfred Wegener proposed it. He noticed similarities in fossils in places like Western Africa and Eastern South America. Then, he noted that those two continents could fit together, like puzzle pieces. He proposed that they used to be joined, and although his theory was not taken seriously at first, we now know he was correct.