Alfred Wegener (Nov, 1, 1880 - 1930) was a German meteorologist, polar explorer, and geophysicist who is best known for his theory of continental drift, which proposed that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single landmass that he called Pangaea. While the idea of continental drift was not a new one, Wegener was the first person to present comprehensive evidence in support of the idea.
Wegener's theory of continental drift revolutionized the field of geology, though it initially faced skepticism from the scientific community. He proposed that the continents had moved apart over millions of years, shifting to their current positions on the Earth's surface. He suggested that this movement was due to the gradual drift of the continents on the Earth's molten mantle.
Wegener spent much of his career conducting research on the polar regions, where he observed evidence in support of his theory. He noted geological similarities between the coastlines of South America and Africa, for example, which suggested that they had once been joined together. He also noted that certain fossils, like the freshwater reptile known as Mesosaurus, were found on coastlines separated by vast oceans, which suggested that the continents had once been connected.
Wegener's theory of continental drift ultimately paved the way for the development of the modern theory of plate tectonics, which provides an explanation for the movement of the Earth's continents and the formation of mountain ranges, volcanoes, and earthquakes. While Wegener's idea faced initial resistance and skepticism, it is now widely accepted as a cornerstone of modern geology and has profoundly impacted our understanding of the Earth's geologic history.
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