The term ‘plate tectonics’ is describes of the structure of the earth as made of plate-like shaped components. Alfred Wagener in 1912 was responsible for the introduction of the continental drift theory, Kious, W. J., & Tilling (1996). The theory was based on stunning observations that the African continent makes a perfect fit with the South American. It had also been observed that the similar animal and plant fossils had been found in the adjacent African and South American coasts.
Given the extensive Atlantic Ocean between the continents, it was then plausible to reason the continents were once connected; rather than the animals and plant species being transported across the ocean. This reasoning is sufficient since normal understanding …show more content…
This thought was advanced by Alexander de Toiu in the year who interpreted that the pre-existing super-continent, Pangaea, first broke into two; Laurasia in the northern hemisphere and Gondwanaland southern hemisphere. These landmasses further split up to form the nine continents which exist today. Therefore, Asia, Europe, North America and Greenland that exist in the current day most likely have roots from the Laurasia. The split up of the Gondwanaland as well resulted to the present day Africa, Australia, South America and India regions. Although the continental drift theory seems to agree with observations, it could not explain the nature of the atomic-bomb magnitude of forces required for the splitting and displacement of the continents (give the reference if possible). This point was therefore the major strength for the scientists who argued against the Alfred W’s theory. His only defence was that the continents moved under natural forces. However, it was also difficult to scientifically convince critics why the continents did not split further as they moved over the ocean floor. Based on this consideration, Morgan (1968) modified the understanding of the tectonic plates and defined them as extensive layers of the lithosphere that moves without internal …show more content…
In the 20th century, the structure of the earth was explored. The layers of the earth according to depth were; crust, mantle and core with the crust being the outermost while crust the deepest. The characteristics of these layers vary in density, heat and nature. The crust is rigid, and the thinnest; especially in the oceanic regions. This is due to relatively uniformity of the ocean surface compared to the land; which is defined by large variations in topography including mountains and valleys. Beneath the crust, the mantle layer is found in a semi-solid state. The major mineral composition for the layer is iron, calcium and magnesium. It is subjected to pressure of the overlaying crust, hence it has higher temperatures and density than the crust. Deeper, the centre of the earth is called the core; it has the highest density and temperatures. This layer is in liquid form and due to the influence of the earth’s rotation, the spin in this layer is responsible for the existence of the magnetic
Given the extensive Atlantic Ocean between the continents, it was then plausible to reason the continents were once connected; rather than the animals and plant species being transported across the ocean. This reasoning is sufficient since normal understanding …show more content…
This thought was advanced by Alexander de Toiu in the year who interpreted that the pre-existing super-continent, Pangaea, first broke into two; Laurasia in the northern hemisphere and Gondwanaland southern hemisphere. These landmasses further split up to form the nine continents which exist today. Therefore, Asia, Europe, North America and Greenland that exist in the current day most likely have roots from the Laurasia. The split up of the Gondwanaland as well resulted to the present day Africa, Australia, South America and India regions. Although the continental drift theory seems to agree with observations, it could not explain the nature of the atomic-bomb magnitude of forces required for the splitting and displacement of the continents (give the reference if possible). This point was therefore the major strength for the scientists who argued against the Alfred W’s theory. His only defence was that the continents moved under natural forces. However, it was also difficult to scientifically convince critics why the continents did not split further as they moved over the ocean floor. Based on this consideration, Morgan (1968) modified the understanding of the tectonic plates and defined them as extensive layers of the lithosphere that moves without internal …show more content…
In the 20th century, the structure of the earth was explored. The layers of the earth according to depth were; crust, mantle and core with the crust being the outermost while crust the deepest. The characteristics of these layers vary in density, heat and nature. The crust is rigid, and the thinnest; especially in the oceanic regions. This is due to relatively uniformity of the ocean surface compared to the land; which is defined by large variations in topography including mountains and valleys. Beneath the crust, the mantle layer is found in a semi-solid state. The major mineral composition for the layer is iron, calcium and magnesium. It is subjected to pressure of the overlaying crust, hence it has higher temperatures and density than the crust. Deeper, the centre of the earth is called the core; it has the highest density and temperatures. This layer is in liquid form and due to the influence of the earth’s rotation, the spin in this layer is responsible for the existence of the magnetic