Making the Pieces Fit: Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift
Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of continental drift to explain the jigsaw puzzle fit of the continents. Wegner argued that the continents had all been joined together at one time as a super continent he called Pangaea. Wegener's ideas were initial...
Making the Pieces Fit: Coastlines and Jigsaw Puzzles
The scientific work that would eventually lead to the Theory of Plate Tectonics began with observations that the coastlines of Africa and South America are strikingly similar.
Wegener's Mistakes
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about mistakes made by Alfred Wegener in formulating his theory of continental drift, some of which created doubt and skepticism among fellow geologists.
Early Evidence of Continental Drift
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater points to the jig-saw puzzle fit of Africa and South America as the most obvious evidence supporting the theory of continental drift.
Look Out Below: Impact of Rising Sea Level
Sea level is rising about two millimeters per year. For those people and structures located along shorelines, this could eventually be a serious problem.
Post-World War II Oceanography
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about technology developed as part of the war effort in the 1940's that would prove critical in the formulation of plate tectonics theory.
Seafloor Spreading: Harry Hess
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about seafloor spreading, an idea first articulated by Harry Hess that many consider to be the linchpin of plate tectonics.
Seafloor Spreading and Plate Tectonics (Part 1)
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about the role of seafloor spreading and spreading centers in the plate tectonics process.
Seafloor Spreading: Vine and Matthews
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about work done by Fred Vine and Drummond Matthews that ultimately provided proof of seafloor spreading by tracking the patterns of magnetic striping on the ocean floor.
World in Motion: Plate Boundaries and Plate Movement
Whether studying earthquakes, volcanoes, or other geologic events, scientists usually focus their attention on plate boundaries and plate movement.