Continental Drift Theory

Running head: CONTINENTAL DRIFT

The Continental Drift

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July 21, 2012

The Continental Drift

It is now widely accepted today. There has even been a top-selling animated film created that is focused on the idea of this concept. There are chapters in books, and even entire books books written on the subject. The theory of continental drift was at one time accepted by virtually no one except for the scientist that discovered it. The theory is now widely accepted as fact in the scientific world due to the evidence that has been collected and analyzed over the past century. In the early part of the 20th century, people found it very hard to believe that the enormous land masses that they lived on could move. They found it even harder to believe that they could move for hundreds of miles. This belief was common amongst most people because there had not been clear evidence presented to convince them otherwise. As the years progressed and the brilliant idea of Alfred Wegener was explored further, it was shown that such an occurrence was possible and likely to have occurred. Continental drift is a simple but complex phenomenon that was once disputed but is now widely accepted, along with the plate tectonics that fuels the amazing physics behind the wonder.

Wegener and the History of His Idea

In order to prove such a significant theory as continental drift, there must be convincing evidence presented. Wegener presented the theory early in the 20th century but lacked the evidence needed to convince his peers and the public that his theory was accurate and true. Technology was not as advanced back in the early 1900’s – visual imagery of our Earth from space was not yet available, as the first satellite did not enter space until 1957 (Jorden, 1957). Wegener’s argument was based on the idea that the continents humans were living on were slowly drifting around...