Chapter 3: Problem 6

Why were geologists initially skeptical of Wegener's continental-drift hypothesis? (A)

Short Answer

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Geologists were initially skeptical of Wegener's continental drift hypothesis because it lacked a clear mechanism to explain the movement of continents, contradicted the widely accepted belief of a stable Earth's crust, and had issues with the estimated age of the Earth. These factors led to disagreements in the scientific community, who preferred to rely on established theories explaining the Earth's features as stable and solid components of the crust.

Step by step solution

Introduction to Wegener's Continental Drift Hypothesis

Wegener's continental drift hypothesis was presented by Alfred Wegener in 1912, which claimed that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea and have since drifted apart. This idea was proposed based on matching geological features and fossil similarities on different continents.

Lack of Mechanism

One of the main reasons for the skepticism of Wegener's continental drift hypothesis was the lack of a mechanism to explain how the continents could move. Wegener had suggested that the continents plowed through the ocean floor, but this idea was not supported by the scientific community as it was not based on strong geological evidence or known physical forces.

Geological Evidence Disagreements

During Wegener's time, most geologists believed that the Earth's crust was solid and stable, and that any similarities between continents were due to geological processes happening in individual regions. Wegener's continental-drift hypothesis contradicted this belief, leading to disagreements within the scientific community.

Issues with the Age of the Earth

Another reason for the skepticism was Wegener's estimate for the break-up of Pangaea did not align with the widely accepted age of the Earth during that time. The age of the Earth was believed to be much younger than it is now known to be, which led geologists to question Wegener's proposed timeline for the continental drift.

Conclusion

To sum up, geologists were initially skeptical about Wegener's continental-drift hypothesis due to the lack of a clear mechanism, disagreements regarding geological evidence, and the issue with the estimated age of the Earth. They preferred to rely on the then-accepted geological theories that explained the Earth's features as stable and solid components of the Earth's crust.

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Why were geologists initially skeptical of Wegener's continental-drift hypothesis? (A)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Introduction to Wegener's Continental Drift Hypothesis

Lack of Mechanism

Geological Evidence Disagreements

Issues with the Age of the Earth

Conclusion

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