The Origin of Continents and Oceans (Dover Earth Science)

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Since its inception modern geology has been faced with an important group of problems: The usual explanation has been to assume the one-time existence of land bridges such as the hypothetical Lemuria or parallelisms or diffusion with lost intermediary steps.

In , however, one of the most influential and most controversial books in the history of science provided a new solution. This was Alfred Wegener's Entstehung der Kontinente , which dispensed with land bridges and parallel evolutions and offered a more economical concept. Wegener proposed that in the remote past the earth's continents were not separate as now , but formed one supercontinent which later split apart, the fragments gradually drifting away from one another.

Wegener created his supercontinent with attractive simplicity by tucking the point of South America into the Gulf of Guinea, coalescing North America, Greenland, and Europe, rotating Australia and Antarctica up through the Indian Ocean, and closing the remaining gaps.

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Wegener then explained various phenomena in historical geology, geomorphy, paleontology, paleoclimatology, and similar areas of science in terms of this continental drift. To back up his revolutionary theory he drew upon a seemingly inexhaustible find of data. Later editions of his book added new data to refute his opponents or to strengthen his own views in the violent scientific quarrel that arose. Even today this important question remains undecided, and geologists are divided into strongly opposed groups about the Wegener hypothesis.

At the moment it seems to be gaining steadily in acceptance. It is one of the two basic theories of earth history, and since it has often been misrepresented in summary, every earth scientist owes it to himself to examine its theories and data. Alfred Wegener was a German scientist, geophysicist and meteorologist.

He is most notable for his theory of continental drift, which was not accepted until the s, when numerous discoveries such as paleomagnetism confirmed his hypothesis. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

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Cashback will be credited as Amazon Pay balance within 10 days. Valid only on your first 2 online payments. This was Alfred Wegener's Entstehung der Kontinente , which dispensed with land bridges and parallel evolutions and offered a more economical concept. Wegener proposed that in the remote past the earth's continents were not separate as now , but formed one supercontinent which later split apart, the fragments gradually drifting away from one another.

Wegener created his supercontinent with attractive simplicity by tucking the point of South America into the Gulf of Guinea, coalescing North America, Greenland, and Europe, rotating Australia and Antarctica up through the Indian Ocean, and closing the remaining gaps.

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Wegener then explained various phenomena in historical geology, geomorphy, paleontology, paleoclimatology, and similar areas of science in terms of this continental drift. To back up his revolutionary theory he drew upon a seemingly inexhaustible find of data.

Later editions of his book added new data to refute his opponents or to strengthen his own views in the violent scientific quarrel that arose. Even today this important question remains undecided, and geologists are divided into strongly opposed groups about the Wegener hypothesis. At the moment it seems to be gaining steadily in acceptance.

The Origin of Continents and Oceans by Alfred Wegener

It is one of the two basic theories of earth history, and since it has often been misrepresented in summary, every earth scientist owes it to himself to examine its theories and data. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about The Origin of Continents and Oceans , please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Origin of Continents and Oceans. Lists with This Book. Jan 27, Vladimir Zivkovic rated it really liked it. Wegener was a German geophysist and meteorologist who developed the hypothesis of Continental Drift in the early 20th century.

The Origin of Continents and Oceans (Paperback, New edition)

This book nicely goes into Wegners thinking, thought process, as well as an abundance of his supporting evidence. Some of his evidence is now known to be incorrect, but none the less, was used to support his Wegener was a German geophysist and meteorologist who developed the hypothesis of Continental Drift in the early 20th century. Some of his evidence is now known to be incorrect, but none the less, was used to support his hypothesis and made sense at the time.

May 11, Keriann rated it liked it Shelves: But a good review of how Oceans, and their history, were thought of prior to the plate tectonics paradigm. In fact, it is tenable that without this book, plate tectonics would have never been possible as a hypothesis. But a good review of how Oceans, and their history, were thought of prior to the plate tectonics paradigm. In fact, it is tenable that without this book, plate tectonics would have never been possible as a hypothesis. Feb 29, Marts Thinker marked it as to-read Shelves: Much reference is usually made of this text in terms of geographical discussions surrounding the plate tectonic theory It most definitely is a pivotal work introducing and explaining this Amber Best rated it it was amazing Sep 09, Jeffrey rated it it was ok Jun 07, Nikki rated it it was amazing Dec 17, Asselia Haruna rated it it was amazing Jul 24, Joseph A Casazza rated it it was amazing Dec 26, Amanda Bender rated it really liked it Jan 13, Hank Sorensen rated it it was amazing Dec 15, Asails F rated it liked it May 22, Nova Aristamaya rated it did not like it Sep 02, Bridget Todd rated it liked it Nov 16, Mohsin Ali rated it it was ok Mar 23, Siljo Joseph rated it really liked it Jul 14, Kupvai rated it it was amazing Aug 30, Leina rated it it was ok Dec 01, Nora rated it really liked it Aug 21, Carol rated it it was amazing Jan 30, Adam rated it really liked it Apr 27,

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