The reaction to alfred wegener s theory tells us much about the workings of science. Continental drift theory by alfred wegener brainery. Born on november 1, 1880, alfred lothar wegener earned a ph. A masterful biography of alfred wegener 18801930, the german scientist who discovered continental drift. The origin of continents and oceans dover earth science.
In 1915 the first edition of the origin of continents and oceans, a book outlining wegeners theory, was published. Alfred wegener author of the origin of continents and oceans. Today, alfred wegeners name appears in almost every geology textbook. This recognition is rather recent since about the early 1970s, when plate tectonics became a unifying theory to explain the origins of continents, oceans, mountains, volcanism and many other geologic processes. Science, exploration, and the theory of continental drift. He is most notable for his theory of continental drift, which he.
Alfred wegener historical records and family trees. We really are one world, according to the findings of alfred wegener, a. Alfred wegener 18801930 was a german scientist, geophysicist and. The origin of continents and oceans by alfred wegener snowball earth by. Facts about alfred wegener were a meteorologist, polar researcher and geophysicist from germany. That was the day 31yearold meteorologist alfred wegener gave his talk on the formation of the oceans and continents and in the process shook the foundations of accepted doctrine. Nov 16, 2011 alfred wegener 18801930 was a german scientist, geophysicist and meteorologist.
Alfred wegeners theory of continental drift and evidence. Little alfred wegener is born alfred wegener was born to his two parents, anna and richard wegener in berlin,germany jan 1, 1905. Science, exploration and the theory of continental drift, adds much to the literature and literacy about one of the giants of earth science. He also had ideas about why the continents drift, which other scientists. He worked as a teacher of classical languages and a theologian. Alfred lothar wegener 1 november 1880november 1930 was a german polar researcher, geophysicist and meteorologist alfred wegene. Winner of the choice outstanding academic title of the choice acrl. He is celebrated as the father of the continental drift hypothesis, the forerunner of plate tectonics. The origin of continents and oceans, published in 1915. Alfred wegener, who is considered as one of the founding father of a major scientific breakthrough of the 20th century, was a renowned german geophysicist and polar researcher. On an unknown day in midnovember 1930, alfred wegener died at the age of 50 on his fourth expedition to greenland. His theory on continental drift stirred a revolution among the scientific community as it invalidated the findings of past hundreds of years.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Wegener supported his argument with five lines of evidence. Wegener died while on an expedition to greenland in the first week of november 1930. He was born on 1 november 1880 and passed away on november 1930. If youve been following my past weeks posts, you saw alfred wegener enter our story as a meteorologist, you saw how fossils and climate inspired his theory, then looked at the publication of wegeners papers and book between 1912 and 1915, and yesterday, you read about the ugly rejection of his drift theory. Books by alfred wegener author of the origin of continents. Alfred memorised the book so he could recite it by heart and won. Continental drift theory, basically means the way that resulted the present location of the continents and oceans. He was famous with his kontinentalverschiebung or theory of continental drift that he made in 1912. Greenland, despite its name, is almost entirely covered in glaciers. Alfred wegener november 1, 1880november 1930 was a german meteorologist and geophysicist who developed the first theory of continental drift and formulated the idea that a supercontinent known as pangaea. May 15, 2019 alfred wegener november 1, 1880november 1930 was a german meteorologist and geophysicist who developed the first theory of continental drift and formulated the idea that a supercontinent known as pangaea existed on the earth millions of years ago. Wegener was an eclectic scientist, with interests ranging from historical astronomy to aerology, the study of lunar craters, and the theory of continental drift for which he became best known.
The family has a vacation home located near rheinsberg that they bought in 1886. Wegener died on this journey, probably of a heart attack. Jan 30, 2019 the synopsis by alfred wegener in his book the origin of continents and oceans, wegener foretold plate tectonics and provided an explanation for continental drift. Alfred wegener collected diverse pieces of evidence to support his theory, including geological fit and fossil evidence. As a child he was always very keen on outdoor activities and loved hiking walking and skating.
My name is david bressan and im a freelance geologist working mainly in the austroalpine. Wegener died while on an expedition to greenland in. His wit and sparkling personality make alfred wegener the life of a party. Many men with a 3 personality are very handsome, and women are often strikingly beautiful. Alfred wegener was born on november 1, 1880, in germanys capital city, berlin. Learn about alfred the great and other famous anglosaxon kings in this bbc bitesize ks2 history guide. Alfred wegener aimed to create a revolution in science which would rank with those of nicolaus copernicus and charles darwin. Pronunciation of alfred wegener with 1 audio pronunciation, 3 translations and more for alfred wegener. About 300 million years ago, claimed wegener, the continents had formed a single mass, called pangaea from the greek for all the earth. Greene follows wegeners life, career and scientific contributions in chronological order. Mar 12, 2019 alfred wegeners theory of continental drift upsc ias evidence and rejection of the theory during the second and third decades of the twentieth century, the notion of continental drift was revived, most notably by the german meteorologist and geophysicist alfred wegener. Pronunciation of alfredwegener with 1 audio pronunciation, 3 translations and more for alfredwegener.
German climatologist and geophysicist who, in 1915, published as expanded version of his 1912 book the origin of continents and oceans. His hypothesis was controversial and widely rejected by mainstream geology until the 1950s, when numerous discoveries such as palaeo. Mott greene s new and groundbreaking book on wegener, alfred wegener. We really are one world, according to the findings of alfred wegener, a guy who really knew his.
Alfred wegener was born in berlin on 1 november 1880 as the youngest of five children in a clergymans family. Winner of the choice outstanding academic title of the choice acrl alfred wegener aimed to create a revolution in science which would rank with those of nicolaus copernicus and charles darwin. In 1912 a german meteorologist named alfred wegener 18801931 hypothesized a single protosupercontinent that divided up into the continents we now know because of continental drift and plate tectonics. His father, richard wegener, was a classical languages teacher and pastor. Alfred wegeners theory of continental drift upsc ias evidence and rejection of the theory during the second and third decades of the twentieth century, the notion of continental drift was revived, most notably by the german meteorologist and geophysicist alfred wegener. Alfred wegener, german meteorologist and geophysicist who formulated the first complete statement of the continental drift hypothesis. Sep 20, 2012 alfred wegener s theory was that once the continents had been joined together, and that somehow, the continents had drifted apart. Without a mechanism for continental drift to occur, it was discarded until the earlymid 1960s when it resurfacedunder a new name, with a mechanism, plate tectonics. Wegener was a german geophysist and meteorologist who developed the hypothesis of continental drift in the early 20th century. Alfred wegener proposed the theory of continental drift the idea that earths continents move. Alfred lothar wegener was a german polar researcher, geophysicist and meteorologist. His theory turned out to be right, and his theorys name was, of. His father, richard wegener, was a theologian and teacher of classical languages at the berlinisches gymnasium zum grauen kloster.
Wegener showed that the continents had split apart and drifted away from one another over geological time. In 1911, still only 30, wegener collected his meteorology lectures into a book. Because of the first world war, wegeners book went unnoticed outside germany. He is celebrated as the father of the continental drift hypothesis, the. About 300 million years ago, claimed wegener, the continents had formed a single mass. Discover book depositorys huge selection of alfred wegener books online.
Alfred wegener biography plate tectonics continental drift. Because of the first world war, wegener s book went unnoticed outside germany. On the following pages you will find out, among other things, how alfred wegener arrived at his theory back then and what young geologists today can learn from him. Excerpts and readings on alfred wegener 18801930 biographical note. In this book mott greene has ably explained every detail of wegeners ideas and. Contudo, sempre teve interesse pela geofisica e tornouse tambem interessado nos campos emergentes da meteorologia e climatologia. During his lifetime he was primarily known for his achievements in meteorology and as a pioneer of polar research, but today he is most remembered as the originator of the theory of continental drift by hypothesizing in 1912 that the continents are slowly drifting around the earth. Various theories regarding the drift of the continents and oceans were forwarded by numerous geographers, among which the continental drift theory by alfred wegener, was considered the most valid and significant one. Despite this, the book is received as both influential and controversial even today, due to the opposition divided amongst geologists regarding his geographic theories. It is important to know that the following specific fossil evidence was not brought up by wegener to support his theory. Oct 30, 2015 a masterful biography of alfred wegener 18801930, the german scientist who discovered continental drift. Wegeners death and drifts hiatus the mountain mystery. Alfred lothar wegener 1 november 1880 november 1930 was a german scientist and meteorologist. Alfred hermann rudolf wegener was born on month day 1908, at birth place, to fritz ferdinant alfred wegener and anna sophie henriette wegener born winterfeldt.
In 1915 the first edition of the origin of continents and oceans, a book outlining wegener s theory, was published. He published his theory in full in his book the origin of continents and oceans in 1915 first presented in 1912. His theory was rejected by most geologists during his lifetime but was resurrected and made a central feature of modern geology as part of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart. Alfred wegener biography, facts and pictures famous scientists. Many people do, as alfred wegener had good reason to belive what he did, and his theory makes a lot of sense. His theory on continental drift stirred a revolution among the scientific community as it. Alfred lothar wegener b 1111880 in berlin, d 2111930 in greenland was born in germany where his father was a minister. Jan 08, 2016 alfred wegener was his name continental drift he explained fossils match up, climate has changed landforms they fit that way called it pangaea which means all lands scientists dont give him. Dec 19, 2017 continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on earths surface. Dec 14, 2011 discover book depositorys huge selection of alfred wegener books online. One of the most important contributions to the development of plate tectonic theory was alfred wegeners 1915 publication of the origin of continents and oceans which outlined his theory of continental drift.
The origin of continents and oceans by alfred wegener goodreads. This hypothesis is called pangaea because the greek word pan means all and gaea or gaia or ge was the greek name of the divine personification of the earth. Extensive hot and arctic climates were found where there was least expectations, according to extensive studies. Alfred wegener was his name continental drift he explained fossils match up, climate has changed landforms they fit that way called it pangaea which means all lands scientists dont give him. The scientific life of alfred wegener timeline timetoast. Alfred wegener 18801930 was a german scientist, geophysicist and meteorologist. If there had been a guinness book of world records in 1906, the wegener brothers would. Alfred wegener biography plate tectonics continental drift alfred wegener, full name alfred lothar wegener, was born in berlin on november 1, 1880.
Alfred wegener, in full alfred lothar wegener, born november 1, 1880, berlin, germanydied november 1930, greenland, german meteorologist and geophysicist who formulated the first complete statement of the continental drift hypothesis. Using this pioneering interdisciplinary approach, wegener wrote one of the most influential and controversial books in the history of science. When continental drift was considered pseudoscience science. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Wegener published what would be the final edition of his book the origin of continents and oceans in 1929. Alfred wegener simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. He is most notable for his theory of continental drift, which he proposed in december 1912.
This was the idea that the continents were slowly drifting around the earth. Alfred wegener historical records and family trees myheritage. Alfred wegener johns hopkins university press books. The wegener family of two adults and five children alfred was the youngest was welloff financially.
This work was one of the first to suggest continental drift and plate tectonics. He gained a doctoral degree in astronomy from the university of berlin in 1904. The origin of continents and oceans by alfred wegener. Set forth in 1912 by alfred wegener, a geophysicist and meteorologist, continental drift also. Learn alfred wegener with free interactive flashcards. Science, exploration, and the theory of continental.
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Alfred wegener was the first to offer evidence that our continents were once one great land mass. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. Alfred wegener proposed the theory of continental drift the idea that the. Alfred wegeners most popular book is the origin of continents and oceans. Continental drift theory by alfred wegener brainery adviser. Choose from 121 different sets of alfred wegener flashcards on quizlet. Alfred wegener was born in berlin in 1880, and his life in many ways tells the story of the developing earth sciences in the early 20th century. Alfred wegener biography childhood, life achievements. Alfred wegeners theory was that once the continents had been joined together, and that somehow, the continents had drifted apart. His theory was rejected by most geologists during his lifetime but was resurrected and made a central feature of modern geology as part of the theory of plate tectonics in. Nov, 2006 alfred wegener was the first to offer evidence that our continents were once one great land mass. He is most notable for his 1912 theory of continental drift, which was not accepted until the 1950s, when numerous discoveries such as paleomagnetism confirmed his hypothesis.
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