Question

Who developed the continental drift hypothesis? A. Harry Hess C. Alfred Wegener B. J. Tuzo Wilson D. W. Jason Morgan

Short answer

Alfred Wegener developed the continental drift hypothesis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question is asking for the person who originally developed the hypothesis of continental drift. This requires familiarity with historical figures in geology and earth sciences.

Recall Key Figures in Earth Sciences

The exercise provides names of notable scientists: Harry Hess, Alfred Wegener, J. Tuzo Wilson, and W. Jason Morgan. Among these, Alfred Wegener is known for his work on the theory of continental drift.

Identify the Contribution of Alfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, proposed the continental drift hypothesis in 1912. His theory suggested that continents have moved over geological time from one location to another.

Confirming the Correct Answer

Having identified Alfred Wegener as the developer of continental drift hypothesis, compare this to other scientists mentioned: Harry Hess contributed to seafloor spreading, J. Tuzo Wilson worked on plate tectonics, and W. Jason Morgan was involved with the concept of hotspots.

Key concepts

Alfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener was a pioneering scientist in the early 20th century who proposed the revolutionary idea of continental drift. Before Wegener, many scientists assumed that the continents were static. However, Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, challenged this notion with his groundbreaking hypothesis in 1912, suggesting that continents were once connected as a single landmass, which he termed "Pangaea." Over millions of years, according to Wegener, Pangaea slowly broke apart, and its pieces drifted to their current positions.

Wegener's theory was initially controversial, largely because he could not provide a convincing mechanism for how these massive landmasses moved across the Earth's surface. Despite this, Wegener supported his hypothesis with compelling evidence. He noted the complementary coastlines of South America and Africa and pointed out similarities in fossil records and rock formations across continents. Wegener's ideas laid the groundwork for future scientific advancements, even though they were not fully accepted until decades later.

geology

Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure and substances, its history, and the processes that act upon it. This science is crucial for understanding Earth's past, including the movement of its continents. Geologists study the Earth's layers, from its crust to its core, and examine rocks, minerals, and other geological features. These studies help geologists infer the historical shifts and changes that the Earth has undergone.

They often focus on:

• Rock formations and the processes that form them
• The Earth's crust and its tectonic activity
• Historical geology, including the study of ancient climates, bodies of water, and continental configurations

Geology plays a significant role in natural resource exploration, risk assessment of natural disasters, and environmental protection. It has helped scientists like Wegener build theories about Earth's dynamic nature and movements.

Earth sciences

Earth sciences encompass a broad range of scientific study areas that focus on the Earth and its components, such as geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental science. These fields collectively aim to understand the Earth's system, including its physical constitution, atmosphere, and the complex interactions between biological and physical phenomena.

Through Earth sciences, researchers explore:

• The structure and composition of Earth materials
• Weather patterns and climate systems
• Oceans and marine life
• Human impacts on Earth's ecosystems

These disciplines provide crucial insights into how Earth's systems have evolved over time and how they continue to change. Earth sciences were integral to Alfred Wegener's work, as they provided the data and framework needed to substantiate the movement of continents.

plate tectonics

Plate tectonics is the widely accepted scientific theory that explains how Earth's lithosphere is divided into several plates that move about on the planet's surface. This concept builds on earlier ideas like continental drift but provides a more detailed explanation of the processes behind this movement.

According to plate tectonics theory, these plates float atop a softer layer of the mantle called the asthenosphere. Their movement is driven by processes such as mantle convection, slab pull, and ridge push. This movement leads to various geological phenomena, including:

• Earthquakes, which occur when plates grind against each other
• Volcanic activity, often happening at plate boundaries
• Mountain building, as plates collide and push the crust upwards

Understanding plate tectonics has not only confirmed Alfred Wegener's theories about continental drift but also revolutionized geology by explaining the dynamic nature of Earth's surface.