Continental Drift
Daniel Davidson
16 Jun 2014
SCI101-1402B-07
Continental Drift
Abstract
The Earth is formed by plate tectonics continuously shifting causing a continental drift. This theory is more accepted than when it was originally published due to better technology providing better research and evidence. This paper discusses a little on both the plate tectonics and the continental drift as well as how the scientific method helped understand this process better.
key words: Continental Drift, Scientific Theory, Plate tectonics
In 1915, a scientist by the name of Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift theory. The idea that the continents are continuously moving either towards or away from each other. The continental drift is more widely accepted today than back when it was originally suggested by Wegener. Wegener had a hard time proving his theory to others because the lack of evidence he could provide. In the last part of the 20th century there has been a tremendous amount of evidence collected to support the theory of continental drift. Some of these include; Fossils from plants and animals that have been found on multiple continents, glaciers scars left in rocks in the most bizarre places, and you could also line up certain mountain chains together. That is a indication that they were once linked together. Also scientists have found that the magnetic fields in rocks indicate the original location is different than the present ones. The Earth 's rotation and the centrifugal force towards the equator are considered the mechanism for the continental drift. Unlike back in Wegener 's era, today we know more about how the earth works, like plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory that helps to explain Earth 's landscape features. There are two processes that plate tectonics go though; one pushes pieces of land together and the other spreads them apart. These are responsible for all the natural land forms on Earth 's surface like
16 Jun 2014
SCI101-1402B-07
Continental Drift
Abstract
The Earth is formed by plate tectonics continuously shifting causing a continental drift. This theory is more accepted than when it was originally published due to better technology providing better research and evidence. This paper discusses a little on both the plate tectonics and the continental drift as well as how the scientific method helped understand this process better.
key words: Continental Drift, Scientific Theory, Plate tectonics
In 1915, a scientist by the name of Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift theory. The idea that the continents are continuously moving either towards or away from each other. The continental drift is more widely accepted today than back when it was originally suggested by Wegener. Wegener had a hard time proving his theory to others because the lack of evidence he could provide. In the last part of the 20th century there has been a tremendous amount of evidence collected to support the theory of continental drift. Some of these include; Fossils from plants and animals that have been found on multiple continents, glaciers scars left in rocks in the most bizarre places, and you could also line up certain mountain chains together. That is a indication that they were once linked together. Also scientists have found that the magnetic fields in rocks indicate the original location is different than the present ones. The Earth 's rotation and the centrifugal force towards the equator are considered the mechanism for the continental drift. Unlike back in Wegener 's era, today we know more about how the earth works, like plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory that helps to explain Earth 's landscape features. There are two processes that plate tectonics go though; one pushes pieces of land together and the other spreads them apart. These are responsible for all the natural land forms on Earth 's surface like
References: Bonilla, William. (2014). Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Defenders of Wildlife. Retrieved from www.defenders.org Briney, Amanda