E N C Y C L O P E D I A

Alfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener (November 1, 1880 - 1930) was a German meteorologist who, in 1912, advocated the theory of continental drift, arguing that the continents on either side of the Atlantic Ocean were drifting apart. In 1915, Wegener published the theory that there had once been a giant supercontinent, Pangaea, which drifted apart ~200 million years ago.

Many geologistss ridiculed Wegener for his ideas; noting that he couldn't explain how continents could move. Only after the mid-20th century discovery of seafloor spreading did Wegener receive credit, as a developer of the theory of plate tectonicss.

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