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Latoya Rush

Colorado Tech University

Science

9/17/12

Science Assignment

1. Describe geographic evidence collected in the last part of the 20th century to support the theory of continental drift.

Abraham Ortelius is the person who came up with the hypothesis that the continents were drifted apart. Although Alfred Wegner tried to come up with supportive evidence that explained continental drift, he did not provide more prove that could support the mechanism and the underlying processes leading to the movements. However, the plate tectonics theory explains, the movements in a better manner. One of the main proves and evidence of continental drift is the relationship of the coastlines in Africa and South America. In addition the mountain ranges in Africa and South America are also correlated to each other.

There was also evidence of the reptilian fossils that were found on the coastlines showing a proof that the coastlines were joined together at one period of time. Moreover, the discovery of rocks that are similar in structure and also mineral deposits in the two coastlines also shows that the two were joined together. Evidence collected in the 2oth century also shows that there are magnetic imprints in the bottom of the ocean rocks especially in the Mid Atlantic ridges. The rocks from these ridges do repeal each other thus supporting the proof of continental drift.

2. Why do scientists today accept the movement of continents but did not accept this theory back in Wegner’s time?

Scientists accept the movement of the continents today bit did not accept it in Wegner’s time because there was no much evidence to ascertain the proof that the continents were once a common block. During Wagner’s time there was no proof of radiometric dating of oceans bottom sentiments. In addition, the fossil forests of Nova Scatia also provide more evidence to the theory thus making scientists to believe that there was once a single continent. Alfred Wegner also provided compelling arguments and explanations on the movement of the plate tectonics and this caused confusion because people did not know which explanation to follow. In particular, Wegner failed to find a mechanism for supporting continental drift theory. However, the discovery of Mid Atlantic Ridge in the 2oth century has helped to prove his theories beyond reasonable doubt. Moreover, the discoveries of sea floor mapping have also helped to shed light into the hypothesis by Wegner thus providing more acceptability into his theory (Frankel 45).

The plate tectonics theory has contributed to Wegners evidence that help to provide more evidence to his theory. This theory has helped to provide more evidence to Wegner’s ideas. Generally, the plate tectonics theory provides an argument on the proof that there is a slow movement on the earth. The tectonics theory provides more evidence on the movements in the earth’s lithosphere thus providing a green light into the movement on earth. The movement in the plate tectonics provides evidence that there was a continental drift on the earth’s surface (Frankel 23).

3. Describe the process of the scientific method and theory development in relation to the continental drift theory.

The scientific method is an analysis method that is used to measure results and research findings. Through the scientific method, data can only be obtained through observation and measurement. Consequently, scientists use the scientific method to develop theories that can be accepted through observation. However, Alfred Wagner develops the continental drift hypothesis that was merely based on observations and assumptions. There were no serious observations or hypothesis which could be accepted by Geologists at the time. Most of them argued that the theory was baseless and did not have meanings to their expectations. Scientists at Wegners time tested his theory and did not accept it since there was no proving that the continent moved at any single time. In addition, there were no processes or even mechanisms that could be used to support the fact that there were movements of the continents. There was increased skepticism by Geologists of his time since no one believed that he followed the scientific method in his hypothesis. However, the discovery of the plate tectonics theory helped to provide more evidence to the continental drift theory thus refuting the original arguments (Frankel 23).

4. Describe how plate tectonics provides the mechanism and explains the process of continental drift.

The process of continental drift is one of the theories that were explained by Alfred Wegner. The hypothesis was brought into the limelight to explain how all the continents belonged to one supercontinent called the Pangaea. However, many scientists refuted this argument since there was no mechanism that explained the movement of the earth. However, the plate tectonics theory provides more valid evidence to these movements. This is because the theory of plate tectonics provides plausible evidence that shows the forces that lead to the continental drift of the earth’s surface. Consequently, the theory of plate tectonics breaks into the earth’s surface to explain the lithosphere. In addition, the movement of the plate tectonics is caused by a number of forces that is driven by convection cells that have forces in between the earth’s surface. The movement of the plate boundaries leads to creation of volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. These movements lead to making the base of the ocean wider through the process of ocean floor spreading. These processes lead to a movement and the mechanisms that lead to continental drift. Nonetheless, the theory provides mechanism for plate movement s thus leading to continental drift (Kearey 34).

5. How do plate tectonics explain natural landforms like the Himalayas and the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean?

The snow capped Himalayas Mountains, described as the largest and highest mountain ranges show examples of continent to continent collisions. Scientists believe that the unique mountain range began forming when the large landmasses, Eurasia and India collided. It is evident that they collided as a result of plate tectonic movement. In addition, it is evident that the plate tectonics movements have led to formation of unique land masses in the world. One of the unique land masses that were created includes Mount Everest that towers 5 miles above the sea level. In addition, geologists also argue that most of the earth’s eruptions occur in specific areas along the plate boundaries. For instance, The Ring of Fire is also another result area of the continental drift. It describes an area in the Pacific Plate that is ringed with frequent earthquakes and even volcanoes. It is thus evident that the plate tectonics is one of the theories that explain the distribution of mountains around the world. The theory is significant in that it provides an explanation to why there are frequent earthquakes around the world. It also provides a detailed analysis of why continents drift apart causing eruptions.

References

Frankel, Henry R. The Continental Drift Controversy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print.

Kearey, P, Keith A. Global Tectonics. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. Print.