Author Question: Although he collected impressive evidence to support his continental drift hypothesis, Alfred ... (Read 118 times)

Bernana · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Although he collected impressive evidence to support his continental drift hypothesis, Alfred Wegener did not receive widespread acceptance of his idea. What obstacle prevented many scientists from accepting continental drift?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are the dominant geologic events in North America during the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, and how do these events relate to plate tectonics?

What will be an ideal response?

atrochim · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Wegener speculated that continental crust plowed through oceanic crust. There was no evidence to support this. Wegener's inability to explain how continents moved across Earth's surface was an insurmountable obstacle to widespread acceptance of continental drift.

Answer to Question 2

The Appalachians were formed in the Paleozoic. In the Mesozoic, Pangaea separated, forming the east coast passive margin, and on the west coast subduction caused compression and emplacement of the Sierra Nevada batholiths. In the Cenozoic, the west coast transformed to a transform fault and reactivated western mountains.