How Did Wegener Think Mountains Formed?

Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century. His theory revolutionized the field of geology and provided a plausible explanation for the formation of mountains. But how did Wegener think mountains formed?

Wegener believed that the Earth’s continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. Over time, he suggested, the continents moved apart due to the process of seafloor spreading. This movement caused the edges of the continents to collide, leading to the formation of mountain ranges. Wegener observed that the shapes of the continents seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, which supported his theory of continental drift.

According to Wegener, the collision of the continents led to intense pressure and heat, which caused the crust to buckle and fold. These folds formed the mountains we see today. He also noted that the rocks found on opposite sides of the mountains were similar, indicating that the continents had once been connected. Wegener’s theory was groundbreaking because it explained the distribution of fossils, climate patterns, and the formation of mountain ranges in a cohesive manner.

However, Wegener’s theory faced criticism from his contemporaries due to the lack of a mechanism that could explain the forces driving the continents’ movement. It was not until the 1960s, with the discovery of plate tectonics, that Wegener’s theory was finally accepted as a fundamental principle of geology. Plate tectonics provided the mechanism that Wegener lacked, explaining how the Earth’s crust is divided into several large and small plates that move and interact with each other.

In conclusion, Wegener thought that mountains formed as a result of the collision of continents, driven by the process of seafloor spreading and the movement of tectonic plates. His theory of continental drift laid the groundwork for our understanding of the Earth’s dynamic crust and the formation of mountains.

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网友评论：

1. “An interesting read on Wegener’s theory of mountain formation. It’s fascinating how his ideas paved the way for plate tectonics.”
2. “Wegener’s theory was revolutionary, but it’s amazing how it took so long for it to be accepted.”
3. “I never knew that Wegener’s theory explained the distribution of fossils. That’s really cool!”
4. “This article helped me understand the relationship between continents and mountains better.”
5. “Wegener’s work was a huge step forward in the field of geology.”
6. “It’s amazing how the Earth’s crust moves and shapes our planet.”
7. “I love how Wegener’s theory explains the formation of mountains and the distribution of fossils.”
8. “This article made me appreciate the importance of Wegener’s work in the field of geology.”
9. “I never realized how interconnected geology and plate tectonics are.”
10. “It’s fascinating to think about the Earth’s dynamic crust and the processes that shape it.”
11. “Wegener’s theory was ahead of its time. It’s incredible how his ideas influenced modern geology.”
12. “I never knew that Wegener’s theory explained the formation of mountains through continental collision.”
13. “This article gave me a new perspective on the Earth’s geological history.”
14. “I appreciate the detailed explanation of Wegener’s theory in this article.”
15. “It’s amazing how Wegener’s work laid the foundation for plate tectonics.”
16. “This article made me more curious about the Earth’s geological processes.”
17. “I never realized how interconnected the Earth’s crust and mountains are.”
18. “Wegener’s theory is a great example of how science progresses over time.”
19. “This article helped me understand the importance of Wegener’s work in the field of geology.”
20. “I’m glad I read this article. It gave me a better understanding of mountain formation and Earth’s dynamic crust.