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While Wegner's theory of continental drift assumed that continents plowed through and over oceanic crust, his basic ideas are still upheld today. As a result of submarines and radar technology used in WWII, scientists were better able to map the seafloor. In doing so they discovered the seafloor's topography, age, magnetism, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. After discovering that the seafloor did spread apart and that continents moved, Wegner's theory gradually became accepted.
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FranEvidence such as the puzzle-like fit of continents, matching geological formations across continents, and similar fossil distributions on different continents convinced scientists that Wegener's theory of continental drift was true. Additionally, the discovery of mid-ocean ridges and the mechanism of plate tectonics further supported the idea of continental drift.
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What discovery caused scientists to rethink wegeners continental drift theory?
The discovery of mid-ocean ridges and the process of seafloor spreading in the 1960s caused scientists to rethink Wegener's theory of continental drift. This new evidence provided a mechanism for how continents could move apart and lent support to the concept of plate tectonics as the driving force behind the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.
What do scientists now know about earth that would have answered the scientists who rejected wegeners theory?
Scientists now know about plate tectonics, which explains how Earth's outer shell is divided into large plates that move and interact with each other. This understanding supports Wegener's theory of continental drift, as it provides a mechanism for the movement of continents over time. Additionally, evidence from ocean floor mapping, seafloor spreading, and magnetic striping further supports the concept of plate tectonics.
When scientists rejected the continental drift were they using the scientific process?
Yes, scientists were using the scientific process when they rejected the continental drift theory. The process involves proposing a hypothesis, testing it through observations and experiments, and revising or rejecting it based on the evidence. In this case, scientists rejected the theory because they did not find enough supporting evidence at the time.
What did scientist believe before Continental Drift?
Before the theory of Continental Drift was widely accepted, scientists believed in the concept of stationary continents. They thought that the continents were fixed in place and did not move over time. This idea was known as the theory of continental permanence.
How many scientists accept Alfred wegener's continental drift theory?
Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift was initially met with skepticism and opposition by many scientists when it was first proposed in the early 20th century. However, over time, as more evidence emerged to support the theory, an increasing number of scientists came to accept it. By the mid-20th century, Wegener's ideas formed the basis of the theory of plate tectonics, which is now widely accepted by the scientific community.
