Alfred Wegener and the Theory of Continental Drift
The textbook provides a thorough overview of how the German geologist and naturalist Alfred Wegener developed his Theory of Continental Drift (not to be confused with plate tectonics). When he originally published his theory, he was scorned and laughed at, but today we know he was right. Wegener's correct theory is a good example of how the Scientific Method is used to develop new knowledge. Use your textbook to help answer the questions below.
Hypothesis
What was Wegener's hypothesis?
There were four pieces of evidence that Wegener observed, both in his travels and from other scientists, that supported his hypothesis. What were these four observations?
HINTS:
1. What continents have interesting shapes and edges? What did Wegener find when he overlapped them?
2. What rock records matched up where?
3. What fossils were located where to support his theory?
4. What past climate evidence did he find supporting his theory?
There were four pieces of evidence that Wegener observed, both in his travels and from other scientists, that supported his hypothesis. What were these four observations?
HINTS:
1. What continents have interesting shapes and edges? What did Wegener find when he overlapped them?
2. What rock records matched up where?
3. What fossils were located where to support his theory?
4. What past climate evidence did he find supporting his theory?
Results and Conclusion
What was the general reaction among the science community to Wegener's theory?
What were the two primary reasons Earth scientists gave for rejecting the theory?
Do you think the evidence presented by Wegener was enough to overcome the two objections made by his contemporaries?
Interesting side note: Science has always been subject to the current politics of the day. Wegener was a German who presented his theory in 1915. At the time, World War I (The Great War) had been instigated only a year prior, and thousands of young men were dying in the trenches. Since Germany was one of the Axis countries, German scientists during the period were treated far more harshly due to their nationality, and it may have played a role in the near total rejection of Wegener's theory.
What were the two primary reasons Earth scientists gave for rejecting the theory?
Do you think the evidence presented by Wegener was enough to overcome the two objections made by his contemporaries?
Interesting side note: Science has always been subject to the current politics of the day. Wegener was a German who presented his theory in 1915. At the time, World War I (The Great War) had been instigated only a year prior, and thousands of young men were dying in the trenches. Since Germany was one of the Axis countries, German scientists during the period were treated far more harshly due to their nationality, and it may have played a role in the near total rejection of Wegener's theory.