What are some things that make the theory of continental drift difficult to accept?
While the theory of continental drift is widely accepted today, there were several factors that initially made it difficult for scientists to accept. Some of these include:
1. Lack of mechanism: When the theory of continental drift was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, there was no known mechanism to explain how continents could move across the Earth's surface. This lack of a plausible mechanism made it difficult for scientists to embrace the theory.
2. Incomplete evidence: At the time of its proposal, the supporting evidence for continental drift was incomplete and scattered. Wegener relied primarily on the fit of continents, fossil evidence, and similarities in rock formations across different continents to support his theory. However, these pieces of evidence were not seen as conclusive or comprehensive enough to convince the scientific community.
3. Resistance from established geologists: The theory of continental drift challenged the prevailing belief in the permanence of continents and the stability of the Earth's crust, which was widely accepted at the time. Many geologists were resistant to accepting a radical new theory that challenged well-established ideas.
4. Lack of detailed mapping and exploration: In Wegener's time, large parts of the Earth's surface, especially the ocean floor, were still unexplored and poorly mapped. Without detailed knowledge of the ocean floor and its geology, it was challenging to provide definitive evidence for continental drift.
5. Scientific conservatism: The scientific community can often be resistant to accepting new paradigms and theories, particularly when they challenge long-held beliefs. This scientific conservatism contributed to the slow acceptance of continental drift initially.
Despite these difficulties, the theory of continental drift gained traction in the mid-20th century with the discovery of seafloor spreading and the development of the theory of plate tectonics, providing a mechanism and more robust evidence for the movement of continents. Today, the theory is widely accepted among geologists and geophysicists.