Continental drift is an idea developed by Alfred Wegner which states that the continents are drifting away across the ocean. He also suggested the plate tectonic theory in the year 1915. The theory states that, all continents were brought together into a mass land million of years ago. The key evidence presented in this case is that, African and South American continents fit each other perfectly if they can be enjoined. In addition, it has been evidenced that similar fossils are found in different continents which implies that, at one point in time they used to be together. The distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes and Fold Mountains are explained through the existence of semi molten magma, where friction between isotopes leads to friction in the core which is the major cause of the three geological processes (Frisch, Blakey & Meschede, 2010). Volcanoes and fold mountains as well as earthquakes are examples of features used to support the continental and plate tectonic theory, as proposed by Alfred Wegner.
There are various categories of plate boundaries as per Alfred Wegner’s proposed theory. It is through these boundaries that plates meet, rub and move apart, creating a drift between them. Volcanoes are key features in this case. Magma chambers are the source of melting plates which are responsible for their formation. Earthquakes and ocean trenches are also significant features through which the drifts are formed. The two or more plates formed as a result of drift are set to move apart slowly, intermediately or rapidly (Yount, 2009). In the long run, two departed blocks are formed which explains the formation of the six major continents from a mass joined block.
The interpretation of science of past centuries cannot be distinguished from the modern form of science. Despite the fact that modern science of studying things has proved to be superior to the old form of science, they highly relate to each other in one way or the other. It is also clear that modern science highly borrows and is based from the old science. In fact, it has been established that, most of what is studied today had been introduced in the past but lacks is the aptness (Apter, 1999). Alfred Wegner is one of key pioneers who attempted to explain the formation of world continents as they are today. Despite the fact that it is the oldest theory, it has been rejected by many scientists for various reasons.
Scientists do not approve the Alfred Wegner’s theory as it comprised of his imagination with no concrete scientific basis. Despite his strong ideas, he died before his theory was subjected to any scientific analysis by geologists. This is the reason why the theory was overshadowed by other theories which were developed decades later (Apter, 1999). Nevertheless, the truth is that the scientific approved theory in this case was not the original idea but it borrowed significantly from Alfred Wegner’s theory. Afterwards there was scientific proof that the theory was correct, it was named the plate tectonics theory and the original theory disappeared into obscurity.
It is has been exposed that many prominent geologists approved the theory as it contained a lot of truth about the real world. They feared that accepting and approving the theory would put their careers at risk. As a result, they decided to reject or downplay it giving two reasons. First, Alfred Wegner was not a geologist and hence what he provided was out of stereotype and not well informed and therefore, not acceptable. Secondly, Alfred Wegner never carried out a scientific experiment or study so as to confirm his theory (Frisch, Blakey & Meschede, 2010). After his death, these geologists moved on to undertake scientific study which led to the establishment that most of his arguments were true.
Scientific method is the process through which a certain study aimed at answering a question or some questions concerning a certain subject. The method is said to be objective as the conclusion reached is based on evidence and findings. It is a step by step approach of study aimed at establishing the truth and solving a problem to an issue. The first step in the scientific method is the identification of the problem or the issue which needs to be studied. The second step is the development of the hypothesis to be applied in the study. The materials required are gathered where experiments are carried out (Yount, 2009). The results of the findings are gathered and assembled after which a conclusion will be drawn to establish whether the findings are true as well as the recommendations on further studies required for the course. The communication of findings is an important aspect, as it can attract additional information from critics and support for further studies.
The scientific method assists us to understand the nature of the world by uncovering the truth. Despite that fact that a truth may keep on changing, it is uncovered through scientific methods which highly uphold the call for objectivity and consistency. Scientific method allows the recollection of evidence and provision of new conclusion from time to time. This does not imply that the initial findings were untrue; the changing nature of the world affects the results acquired previously (Apter, 1999). Personal biases and subjectivity can easily be identified as an individual may not be in a position to doctor the evidence. In addition, the provision for recollection of evidence implies that another research will discover and expose that the findings and conclusions were untrue. Put differently, the scientific method offers a platform for testing details and proving various aspects about the cosmos. The controlled experiment and the recollection of evidence are significant aspects through which scientific method assists in understanding the world.
The continental drift has been described through various approaches though the evidence provided by different theories is more likely the same. Wegener believed that each continent was propelled on the ocean floor like a ship. According to the theory the world’s crust is broken into six major plates and some much smaller. In consistent with Wegener, these drifts were formed about 200 million years ago. However, there is the evidence that before the drifting and moving of these blocks as per Wegener’s theory, the blockers had opened up long before and closed up which lead to the formation of mountains (Oreskes, 1999). Himalayas is believed to be the formation of the detachment between Indian Peninsula and Gondwanaland. This is clear evidence of how the continent drift is associated with major mountains across the world. Plate tectonics are also associated with ranged fine in the Pacific Ocean. The divergent boundary formed as a consequence of the apparent motion of the different plates on the seafloor of the ocean. These plates rub and corrode each other creating lines of weaknesses through which the melted magma finds its way out of the crust of the earth. As far as the Pacific Ocean is concerned, the Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American Plate are the once involved. The magma melts at very high temperatures and hence its expose leads into raging fire on landing on the earth’s/water service.
References
Apter, E. S. (1999). Continental drift: From national characters to virtual subjects. Chicago, Ill:
Frisch, W., Blakey, R. C., & Meschede, M. (2010). Plate tectonics. Berlin: Springer.
Oreskes, N. (1999). The rejection of continental drift: Theory and method in American earth science. New York: Oxford University Press.
Yount, L. (2009). Alfred Wegener: Creator of the continental drift theory. New York: Chelsea House Publishers.
