Alfred Lothar Wegener is known for his Theory of Continental Drift, which postulates that the earth was a single land mass, a supercontinent which he named Pangaea, which over time drifted into separate continents to their present day positions – the supercontinent broke into pieces over 200 million years ago.
The supercontinent was surrounded by a supersea, Panthalassa.
“Today, it’s recognized that the earth’s crust is composed of plates moving relative to each other.”
It is interesting that the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) combined Alfred Wegener's work with that of Charles Darwin to create a new idea. Please refer to Promises Kept: Honoring Commitments to Yourself.
Name: Alfred Lothar Wegener
Birth Date: November 1, 1880 – November 1930
Job Functions: Meteorologist and Geophysicist
Fields: Meteorology, Geophysics and Arctic Explorer
Known For: Theory of Continental Drift
Have you read?
Charles Robert Darwin, Naturalist Who Presented the Origin of Species Theory
Alfred Lothar Wegener’s Steps to Success
- Alfred Wegener studied at the universities of Heidelberg and Innsbruck, and received his Doctorate in Astronomy in Berlin in 1905.
- Carried out experiments with kites and balloons, and was fascinated with the new science of weather. Became interested in meteorology and geology.
- Had the desire to learn first hand about polar air masses.
- In 1906, Wegener and his brother Kurt set a world record in an international balloon contest by flying for 52 hours straight.
- In 1906, Wegener joined a Danish expedition to Greenland as their meteorologist.
From 1908 – 1912, upon his return from Greenland, he lectured in meteorology at the Physical Institute in Marburg.- In 1910, the idea of continental drift first occurred to Wegener when he noted the degree of apparent correspondence between the Atlantic shores of Africa and South America. Specifically, Wegener noticed that “the east coast of South America matched like a puzzle piece with the west coast of Africa.” He dismissed the idea as improbable, but returned to it the next year after he learned that paleontological evidence was being used to argue that a land bridge once connected Africa with Brazil.
- After examining the paleontological and geological evidence on the two sides of the Atlantic, Wegener concluded that the similarities were close enough to warrant an explanation and linked it to his earlier thinking on continental drift.
- In 1911, he published a textbook on the thermodynamics of the atmosphere, which included in embryonic form the modern theory on the origins of precipitation.
- In January 1912, at a lecture in Frankfurt, Wegener announced his theory that continents had actually moved thousands of miles apart during geological time, offering it as an alternative to the land bridge theory.
- Presented an extended version of his theory in 1915, in his book, Die Entstehung der Kontinente und Ozeane (The Origin of Continents and Oceans
), which was not widely received until 1924 when the third edition was published. Wegener’s strongest support for the theory was the rocks and the flora and fauna on both sides of the Atlantic. Geodetic measurements showed that Greenland was moving away from Europe. - In 1912 – 1913, with Captain J. P. Koch of Denmark, Wegener co-led a second expedition to Greenland to study glaciology and climatology.
- Was a junior military officer from 1914 to 1919.
- After World War I, Wegener worked at the meteorological experimental station of the German Marine Observatory at Gross Borstel, near Hamburg.
- In 1924, the University of Graz created a special chair of meteorology and geophysics for Wegener.
- Led expedition to Greenland in 1929 – 1930 and 1930 – 1931. On his fourth and final expedition to Greenland, Wegener left the base on his birthday, November 1, 1930 for the west coast and was never seen again.
), which was not widely received until 1924 when the third edition was published. Wegener’s strongest support for the theory was the rocks and the flora and fauna on both sides of the Atlantic. Geodetic measurements showed that Greenland was moving away from Europe.
Biggest Accomplishments Why Alfred Wegener’s Contribution Matters
Alfred Wegener is the originator of the idea of continental drift. “He noted the degree of apparent correspondence between the shapes of the coasts of the Atlantic on its west and east sides, particularly those of South America and Africa.” Wegener’s work on continental drift formed the basis for the plate tectonics in the earth sciences.
Lessons from Alfred Wegener
- Was open-minded, showed an ability and taste for seizing on broad issues in complicated topics.
- Ability to combine subjects that were considered to be disparate.
Application
- Connect the un-connectables.
Further Reading
Promises Kept: Honoring Commitments to Yourself
What You Can Learn from Charles Darwin
Sources Cited/Referenced
Science and its Times
Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography
New Dictionary of Scientific Biography
World of Earth Science
Encyclopedia of World Biography
Historical Art portrait, WEGENER, Alfred Lothar, Scientist-EU10 PRI0010- Mouse Pad, 8 by 8 inches (mp_81784_1)
Alfred Lothar Wegener & Harry Fielding Reid
