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Who was Alfred Wegener And what did he purpose?
During his lifetime he was primarily known for his achievements in meteorology and as a pioneer of polar research, but today he is most remembered as the originator of continental drift hypothesis by suggesting in 1912 that the continents are slowly drifting around the Earth (German: Kontinentalverschiebung).
How did Alfred Wegener impact the world?
Wegener experimented with kites and balloons, and with his brother Kurt set a world record in an international balloon contest, flying 52 hours straight. That was in 1906, the year he made his first expedition to Greenland. He went as the official meteorologist on a two-year Danish expedition.
How did Alfred Wegener prove his theory?
Wegener used fossil evidence to support his continental drift hypothesis. The fossils of these organisms are found on lands that are now far apart. Grooves and rock deposits left by ancient glaciers are found today on different continents very close to the equator.
How was Alfred Wegener's theory proved?
Wegener supported his theory by demonstrating the biological and geological similarities between continents. South America and Africa contain fossils of animals found only on those two continents, with corresponding geographic ranges.
What is the impact of continental drift theory?
Continental drift has impacted the universe in many ways. It has affected the global climate, the world's geographical positions and the evolution of animals. Continental drift also comes along with grave effects such as Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis.
What was the contribution of Alfred Wegener to the field of geography?
Alfred Wegener produced evidence in 1912 that the continents are in motion, but because he could not explain what forces could move them, geologists rejected his ideas. Almost 50 years later Harry Hess confirmed Wegener's ideas by using the evidence of seafloor spreading to explain what moved continents.
Where was Alfred Wegener born?
Alfred Wegener was born in Berlin on November 1, 1880. He studied the natural sciences at the University of Berlin, receiving a doctorate in astronomy in 1904. He did not pursue a career in astronomy, however, but turned instead to meteorology, where the telegraph, Atlantic cable, and wireless were fostering rapid advances in storm tracking ...
What was the first thing that Wegener used to study the polar atmosphere?
During this expedition Wegener became the first to use kites and tethered balloons to study the polar atmosphere.
What did Wegener do when he returned to Marburg?
When he returned to Marburg, Wegener resumed work on continental drift, marshaling all the scientific evidence he could find to support his theory.
What was Wegener's most controversial book?
Using this pioneering interdisciplinary approach, Wegener wrote one of the most influential and controversial books in the history of science: The Origin of Continents and Oceans , published in 1915. Because of the First World War, Wegener's book went unnoticed outside Germany.
Who wrote the thermodynamics of the atmosphere?
In 1911, still only 30, Wegener collected his meteorology lectures into a book, The Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere, which soon became a standard text throughout Germany. After reading it, the distinguished Russian climatologist Alexander Woeikoff wrote that a new star had risen in meteorology.
Who was the first person to trace storm tracks over the polar region?
According to fellow meteorologist and Greenland explorer Dr. Johannes Georgi, Wegener was the first to trace storm tracks over the ice cap.
Who was the first person to overwinter on the ice cap?
In 1912, the year of his continental-drift presentations, Wegener again answered the siren call of Greenland. His four-man expedition "escaped death only by a miracle" while climbing a suddenly calving glacier on the northeast coast, then became the first to overwinter on the ice cap.
What was the last expedition to Greenland?
Wegener 's last Greenland expedition was in 1930. The 14 participants under his leadership were to establish three permanent stations from which the thickness of the Greenland ice sheet could be measured and year-round Arctic weather observations made. Wegener felt personally responsible for the expedition's success, as the German government had contributed $120,000 ($1.5 million in 2007 dollars). Success depended on enough provisions being transferred from West camp to Eismitte ("mid-ice") for two men to winter there, and this was a factor in the decision that led to his death. Owing to a late thaw, the expedition was six weeks behind schedule and, as summer ended, the men at Eismitte sent a message that they had insufficient fuel and so would return on 20 October.
What was Wegener's theory of continental drift?
From 1912, Wegener publicly advocated the existence of " continental drift ", arguing that all the continents were once joined together in a single landmass and had since drifted apart. He supposed that the mechanisms causing the drift might be the centrifugal force of the Earth's rotation (" Polflucht ") or the astronomical precession. Wegener also speculated about sea-floor spreading and the role of the mid-ocean ridges, stating that "the Mid-Atlantic Ridge ... zone in which the floor of the Atlantic, as it keeps spreading, is continuously tearing open and making space for fresh, relatively fluid and hot sima [rising] from depth." However, he did not pursue these ideas in his later works.
Why did Wegener not defend his work?
Wegener was in the audience for this lecture, but made no attempt to defend his work, possibly because of an inadequate command of the English language.
Why did Wegener not accept his ideas?
Part of the reason Wegener's ideas were not initially accepted was the misapprehension that he was suggesting the continents had fit along the current coastline. Charles Schuchert commented:
How many Greenlanders returned to West Camp?
Twelve of the Greenlanders returned to West camp. On 19 October the remaining three members of the expedition reached Eismitte. There being only enough supplies for three at Eismitte, Wegener and Rasmus Villumsen took two dog sleds and made for West camp.
Why was the interest in Wegener's work so low?
Interest in this small publication was however low, also because of wartime chaos. By the end of the war Wegener had published almost 20 additional meteorological and geophysical papers in which he repeatedly embarked for new scientific frontiers. In 1917 he undertook a scientific investigation of the Treysa meteorite .
What was Alfred Wegener's motivation for creating the first continent?
His brother Kurt remarked that Alfred Wegener's motivation was to “reestablish the connection between geophysics on the one hand and geography and geology on the other, which had become completely ruptured because of the specialized development of these branches of science.”
What did Alfred Wegener discover?
Alfred Wegener made one of the most important discoveries in geology - the theory of continental drift - but never lived to see his theory accepted by the scientific community. His belief that the continents can move and shift with time was radical and he lacked the evidence that only modern day technology could provide to support his ideas. He was a well known researcher in his time in the fields of astronomy and meteorology, but his greatest achievement remains his theory of continental drift. It fundamentally changed the way we view the Earth, its tectonic plates, and its geologic history.
Why did Wegener propose continental drift?
He called his theory continental drift because of the idea that if the continents were able to drift about on Earth's surface, then these fossil, rock type, and coastline similarities would not have been a mere coincidence. What Wegener did in proposing his theory was not unlike the most common New Year's resolution -- weight loss. It was like saying your resolution is to lose weight, but not having any explanation or plan for how you are going to do it. In the scientific community, this was considered quite radical.
What did Alfred Wegener do?
He studied meteorology and physics as an undergraduate, and eventually earned a Ph.D. in astronomy. Even though his primary field was astronomy, Wegener maintained a strong interest in the atmospheric and climate sciences, and after graduation took a position working at a research observatory with his older brother who was conducting meteorology research using weather balloons.
How did Wegener die?
After completing it, he and a colleague confidently attempted to return on skis, but never made it. Wegener's body would not be found until the May of the following year (1931). It is believed he died due to a heart attack brought on by the extreme cold and a history of heavy smoking.
What did the geologic community believe about the continents moving?
At the time, the geologic community believed that the Earth's crust was a single, solid, piece. They didn't know about the individual tectonic plates that we know about today.
Why was Alfred Wegener's theory so hard to prove?
Wegener's ideas were considered radical, and also hard to prove at the time due to a lack of technology needed to provide concrete evidence of his ideas. Because his theories weren't readily accepted until after his death, there is often a disconnect (outside of the geology community that is) between his name and his theory. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to both acknowledge and appreciate Alfred Wegener's work.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
What continents did Wegener see fit together?
Looking at a world map in 1910, Wegener noticed how the coastlines of eastern South America and western Africa seemed to fit together, rather like jigsaw pieces. The South American and African continents seem to fit together.
How old was Alfred Wegener when he died?
On an unknown day in mid-November 1930, Alfred Wegener died on his fourth expedition to Greenland. He was 50 years old.
What did Wegener discover about fossils?
Publishing fossil and geological evidence. After further research, in 1911 Wegener learned that fossils of several species were present in both Brazil and western Africa. This evidence suggested to him that South America and Africa were in physical contact when the fossilized animals and plants were alive.
How did Wegener make his mark?
During the expedition, Wegener made his mark by building Greenland’s first meteorological station and taking a large number of atmospheric readings using kites and balloons. The expedition’s work in uncharted territory was dangerous – three expedition members died of starvation/exposure! University Lecturer.
How many children did Alfred Wegener have?
The Wegener family of two adults and five children – Alfred was the youngest – was well-off financially. Alfred was an intelligent boy. He received a conventional education at grammar school in Berlin, where his academic ability marked him for a university education. He began university in Berlin in 1899, age 18, taking a variety of science classes.
What was the purpose of the Danmark expedition?
The expedition’s principle aim was to map Greenland’s unexplored northeast coast.
When did Alfred Wegener complete his PhD?
Alfred Wegener completed his PhD in 1905, age 24. Although now qualified to become a professional astronomer, he was worried that he might not discover anything new or interesting in astronomy. He believed he could make a greater contribution in meteorology – the study of weather and climate. Advertisements.
What did Alfred Wegener believe about the tides?
Galileo had his own 'tidal argument' ; one that was even more embarassing than Wegener's. To defend his belief that the sun was the center of the solar system, he argued that the tides were caused by the sun.
What did Darwin need to explain?
Darwin needed an explanation for the Cambrian Explosion and a mechanism for the preservation of traits (see Mendel and Darwin ). Wegener needed a mechanism for Continental Drift. Galileo needed an explanation for the lack of stellar parallax and the poor performance of his model (see Galileo's Battle for the Heavens ).
What did Wegener do to keep the discussion of Continental Drift alive?
Wegener was able to keep the discussion of Continental Drift alive until his death. He knew that any argument based simply on the jigsaw fit of the continents could easily be explained away. To strengthen his case he drew from the fields of geology, geography, biology and paleontology.
What graphic did Wegener use to demonstrate the uncanny match of geology between eastern South America and western Africa?
Wegener used an Alexander duToit graphic to demonstrate the uncanny match of geology between eastern South America and western Africa.
What is the theory of drift?
Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory . In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart. This was the Continental Drift Theory. The reaction to Alfred Wegener's theory tells us much about the workings of science. We are taught that modern scientists are driven only by reason ...
What are the two mechanisms of continental drift?
New theories often have rough edges. Alfred Wegener proposed two different mechanisms for continental drift. One was based on the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the earth and another a 'tidal argument' based on the tidal attraction of the sun and the moon. These explanations could easily be proven inadequate.
What disciplines did Alfred Wegener's theory draw from?
Alfred Wegener and his Critics. Wegener's theory drew from geology, geophysics, zoogeography and paleontology. It also drew the wrath of scientists from these disciplines. These reactions eventually shut down serious discussion of the concept.
