In 1912, polar explorer and meteorologist alfred wegener first proposed the concept of continental drift, the geological theory that continents were once connected and had somehow spread apart across the earths surface over time. Not only did this discovery provide evidence of continental drift, it also was an early example of the study of paleomagnetism. Wegener theorized that at one time the continents were one large landmass or pangaea that had drifted apart. Wegener was one of the first to realize that an understanding of how the earth works required input and knowledge from all the earth sciences. In 1912, alfred wegener proposed a theory that the continents had once been joined, and over time had drifted apart. Alfred lothar wegener 1 november 1880 november 1930 was a german scientist and meteorologist. As a child he was always very keen on outdoor activities and loved hiking walking and skating. In order to read online or download alfred wegener the father of continental drift ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. During the years from 1912 to 19 wegener took part for the second time in an expedition to greenland.
The present first edition is much rarer than the journal issue. Perhaps alfred wegeners greatest contribution to the scientific world was his ability to weave seemingly dissimilar, unrelated facts into a theory, which was remarkably visionary for the time. Alfred wegener was born on november 1, 1880, in germanys capital city, berlin. Greene places wegener s upbringing and theoretical advances in earth science in the context of his brilliantly eclectic career, bringing wegener to life by analyzing his published scientific work, delving into all of his surviving letters and journals, and tracing both his passionate commitment to science and his. First edition, journal issues in the original printed wrappers. In his work, wegener presented a large amount of very strong evidence in support of continental drift, but the mechanism remained elusive. Essay about alfred wegener and the continental drift 698 words 3 pages. Alfred wegeners most popular book is the origin of continents and oceans. You are trying to convince the scientific world of your findingsbut no one believes you. 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.
Facts about alfred wegener were a meteorologist, polar researcher and geophysicist from germany. Alfred wegener proposed the theory of continental drift the idea that the. When german meteorologist alfred wegener first proposed his groundbreaking theory of continental displacement, later called continental drift, in 1912, his geologist peers rejected his theory because the field of geology at the turn of the century was based in 18th and 19thcentury observations about the nature of the earth and the planets development. Because of the first world war, wegener s book went unnoticed outside germany.
He was the fifth child of churchman richard and housemaker anna wegener. Mott greene s new and groundbreaking book on wegener, alfred wegener. This work was one of the first to suggest continental drift and. Alfred wegener turned topsyturvy the whole concept of geology. His ideas were initially rejected by other scientists. The reaction to alfred wegeners theory tells us much about the workings of science. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. He was the first scientist to introduce the theory of the continental drift. Alfred wegener s most popular book is the origin of continents and oceans. Wegener attributed this to the movement of the poles followed the approximate path of the movement of his continents. Alfred wegener, german meteorologist and geophysicist who formulated the first complete statement of the continental drift hypothesis.
The wegener family of two adults and five children alfred was the youngest was welloff financially. We cannot guarantee that alfred wegener the father of continental drift book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service. Alfred wegener has 15 books on goodreads with 414 ratings. In 1915 alfred wegeners seminal work describing the continental drift was first published in german. Click download or read online button to get alfred wegener the father of continental drift book now.
The day following his birthday, wegener and villumsen set off to deliver supplies to a small outlying camp which had been cut. In this book mott greene has ably explained every detail of wegeners ideas and. Alfred wegener november 1, 1880november 1930 was a german meteorologist and geophysicist who developed the first theory of continental drift and. To learn more about plate tectonics, read the books i used as references listed below.
Alfredwegenerinstitut at the beginning of 1912 he introduced to the public for the first time his considerations for the continental movement. Alfred lothar wegener 1 november 1880november 1930 was a german polar researcher, geophysicist and meteorologist alfred wegene. Wegener is remembered today as the originator and one of the chief proponents of the theory of continental drift, which he conceived after being struck by the apparent correspondence in the shapes of the coastlines on the west and east sides of the atlantic, and. Alfred wegener author of the origin of continents and oceans. And the man who first proposed this theory was a brilliant interdisciplinary scientist, alfred wegener. Wegeners death and drifts hiatus the mountain mystery.
The first material on wegener i remember reading was anthony hallams february 1975 article in scientific american. His theory was rejected by most geologists during his lifetime but was resurrected and made a central feature of. Richard taught classical languages in one of the most prestigious educational institute, evangelisches gymnasium zum grauen kloster, of germany. The origin of continents and oceans, published in 1915. From his time in greenland studying meteorology with hot balloons to his theory of pangea, readers will be eager to learn more about wegeners contributions to science and the strides he took towards developing the study of plate tectonics. In this appealing biography, children will read about the fascinating life, theories, and discoveries of alfred wegener. You have decided to write a letter to your fellow scientists in order to convince them of your theory.
He is celebrated as the father of the continental drift hypothesis, the forerunner of plate tectonics. In 1915 the first edition of the origin of continents and oceans, a book. Wegener explained various phenomena of historical geology, geomorphy. While his ideas attracted a few early supporters such as alexander du toit from south africa and arthur holmes in england, the hypothesis was generally met with skepticism from largely conservative scientists, who were. Alfred wegener the father of continental drift download. On the shoulders of giants alfred wegener a geographic jigsaw puzzle resume of a revolutionary. Alfred wegener and his colleague rasmus villumsen were last seen on wegeners 50th birthday, november 1, 1930. Alfred wegener biography, facts and pictures famous scientists.
The father of continental drift in 1986 originally published in german in 1980. Alfred wegener biography childhood, life achievements. Alfred wegener observed the apparent wandering of earths magnetic pole. Alfred wegener first thought of this idea by noticing that the different large landmasses of the earth almost fit together like a jigsaw. Alfred lothar wegener b 1111880 in berlin, d 2111930 in greenland was born in germany where his father was a minister. In 1922, however, a third revised edition was translated into english, french, russian, spanish, and swedish, pushing wegeners theory of continental drift to the forefront of debate in the earth sciences. Wegener is remembered today as the originator and one of the chief proponents of the theory of continental drift, which he conceived after being struck by the apparent correspondence in the shapes of the coastlines on the west and east sides of the. 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.
However, there are few detailed, scholarly works on wegener himself. In 1922, however, a third revised edition was translated into. Using this pioneering interdisciplinary approach, wegener wrote one of the most influential and controversial books in the history of science. Essay about alfred wegener and the continental drift. He went to greenland thrice, on very arduous expeditions. Science, exploration, and the theory of continental. One of the best books, i have had an opportunity to read. Because of the first world war, wegeners book went unnoticed. The story of wegener german expedition in 193031, as told by members of the exposition and the leaders diary. The scientific life of alfred wegener timeline timetoast. Alfred wegeners continental drift hypothesis deskarati. The first material on wegener i remember reading was anthony hallams. Alfred wegener proposed the theory of continental drift the idea that earths. Alfred wegener first thought of this idea by noticing that the different large landmasses of the earth almost fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
He is most notable for his theory of continental drift, which he proposed in 1912. Alfred wegener was a german geophysicist and meteorologist who was a strong early proponent of continental drift as an explanation for the geological and biological similarities and differences between the continents. This was the idea that the continents were slowly drifting. He revised this book several times up to 1929, and it was translated into french, english, spanish, and russian. He was famous with his kontinentalverschiebung or theory of continental drift that he made in 1912. Little alfred wegener is born alfred wegener was born to his two parents, anna and richard wegener in berlin,germany jan 1, 1905.
His father, richard wegener, was a classical languages teacher and pastor. German climatologist and geophysicist who, in 1915, published as expanded version of his 1912 book the origin of continents and oceans. Science, exploration, and the theory of continental drift. Greene places wegeners upbringing and theoretical advances in earth science in the context of his brilliantly eclectic career, bringing wegener to life by analyzing his published scientific work, delving into all of his surviving letters and journals, and tracing both his passionate commitment to science and his. D in astronomy from the university of berlin in 1904. Pdf alfred wegener the father of continental drift. Today, alfred wegeners name appears in almost every geology textbook. He was born on 1 november 1880 and passed away on november 1930. In 1915, however, one of the most influential and most controversial books in the history of science provided a new solution. Because of the first world war, wegeners book went unnoticed outside germany.
March 1929 the german meteorologists alfred wegener, johannes georgi 18881972, fritz loewe 18951974 and ernst sorge 18991946 arrived to greenland, searching a site for a coastal base camp. Born on november 1, 1880, alfred lothar wegener earned a ph. This work was one of the first to suggest continental drift and plate tectonics. Sc degree in geology, but was not aware that alfred wegener was not a geologist. The continental shelf of the americas fit closely to africa and europe, and antarctica, australia, india and madagascar fit next to the tip of southern africa. The new view of the earth by seiya uyeda, 1978 by w.
941 692 1644 93 122 1266 1618 1431 1620 17 1315 768 139 1209 437 1226 1553 1327 917 703 1187 186 894 220 200 1055 439 335 1063