Why was the theory of continental drift not immediately embraced by the scientific community in the 1920s?

What will be an ideal response?


Wegener's theory of continental drift was not well-received by the geophysicists of his day. The British scientist Sir Harold Jeffreys presented calculations in 1925 demonstrating that the continents could not possibly plow through the rigid sea floor, as the theory seemed to require. Other scientists were unconvinced because Wegener could not propose a physical mechanism for driving the motion of the continents. Indeed, many of Wegener's own calculations and proposed mechanisms were found to be in error and untenable.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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All other things being equal a building built on solid granite bedrock is seismically safer than one built

on water-saturated sediment. Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

In the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, much of the damage was due to fires because ________

A) water lines were badly damage so that firemen could not put out the fires B) electric power lines fell and caused sparks that started fires C) the shaking caused gas lines to rupture everywhere and these ignited to cause huge fire storms in the city D) a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fires

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following statements about the geopolitical relationship between the United States and Latin America is correct?

A) South America has grown closer to the United States since the end of the Cold War, as evidenced by the election of right-wing governments across the continent B) the United States has maintained a position of absolute neutrality with respect to internal Latin American affairs since 1889 C) the United States has actively pursued territorial expansion in Latin America through the establishment of colonies in South America D) the United States has maintained policies toward trade, economic assistance and political development that have widely been seen as strengthening the internal sovereignty of Latin American states E) the geopolitical influence of the United States is declining in South America as trade with the European Union, China and Japan takes precedence

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The _________ people erected at least 900 moai statues between 1200 and 1500 . In addition, they deforested most of Easter Island, which precipitated the demise of their civilization

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences