The acceptance of plate tectonics after the initial rejection of continental drift has been described as a scientific revolution. Explain why plate tectonics was so revolutionary and what tools were used to bring it about
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: Scientists initially held onto the belief that the continents and ocean basins were fixed objects, both of which dated back to the earliest days of the Earth. When continental drift was proposed, which challenged this belief, scientists had difficulty accepting it because the evidence was not as clear outside the southern continents. After World War II, modern tools like sonar, ocean drilling, and magnetometers were used to gather evidence about the age and bathymetry of the seafloor. This evidence (seafloor spreading and paleomagnetism) was used to support continental drift and develop the modern theory of plate tectonics.
You might also like to view...
Interest in continental drift waned until studies of Earth's magnetic field and oceanographic research showed that ____
A)present-day oceans basins are old features that resulted from the breakup of Pangaea B)continents were constantly being pulled toward the poles by magnetic forces C)present-day ocean basins are not as old as continents but instead, are geologically young features that resulted from the breakup of Pangaea D)iron-rich continental plate material was being pulled into the ocean by Earth's magnetic field E)present-day ocean basins are old features that resulted from erosion of continental coastlines
How does air pressure affect wind direction?
What will be an ideal response?
Because land surfaces heat and cool more rapidly than water bodies, so land has a higher specific heat
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
What occurs at mid-ocean ridges?
A. Continental crust is destroyed. B. All crust is destroyed by magma. C. Oceanic crust is created. D. Oceanic crust is destroyed. E. Continental crust is created.