Animated Life: Pangea, Wegener, and Continental Drift — HHMI BioInteractive Video

Summary

Alfred Wegener, a meteorologist, revolutionized the field of geoscience with his theory of continental drift. Despite initial skepticism and rejection, Wegener's idea that continents move horizontally was inspired by the matching coastlines of South America and Africa. His dedication to science was evident in his Arctic expeditions, where he endured harsh conditions to gather evidence. Although he faced challenges and even death during an expedition, his legacy endures as the concept of continental movement is now an established fact in geology.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Alfred Wegener, a meteorologist, is known for proposing the theory of continental drift, suggesting that continents move horizontally.
• 🎈 Wegener's interest in atmospheric physics led him to take balloon flights to measure the high Arctic atmosphere, contributing to his broader scientific perspective.
• 🐾 His Arctic expeditions were adventurous and scientific, involving survival skills like hunting seals and dog sled driving, and studying ice formations.
• 🧩 Wegener's theory was sparked by observing how the coastlines of South America and Africa fit together and the matching underwater depth lines.
• 🌍 He introduced the concept of Pangaea, suggesting that all continents were once a single landmass that later split apart.
• 📚 Wegener faced initial rejection and criticism from the scientific community, partly due to his outsider status in geoscience.
• 🌳 His theory found support from botanists and paleontologists, as it explained the distribution of plants, animals, and similar fossil records across continents.
• 📈 Wegener's idea was revolutionary as it challenged the prevailing beliefs that continents were fixed or moved only vertically.
• 📚 He persistently refined his theory over decades, publishing multiple books despite criticism, showing dedication to his scientific pursuit.
• ❄️ Tragically, Wegener died during an Arctic expedition, but his legacy lives on in the acceptance of continental movement as a fact of Earth's geology.

Q & A

Who is Alfred Wegener and what is his significance in the history of science?

Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist and geophysicist who is best known for his hypothesis of continental drift, which proposed that the continents on Earth move horizontally over geological time.

What was Wegener's profession and how did it influence his theory of continental drift?

Wegener was a meteorologist and an Arctic explorer. His profession allowed him to take measurements of the atmosphere and observe the Earth's surface, which influenced his idea of continental drift.

What was the radical idea that Wegener proposed about the continents?

Wegener proposed that the continents move horizontally, which was a radical idea at the time because the prevailing belief was that continents were fixed or moved vertically.

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?

Wegener used multiple lines of evidence to support his theory, including the matching coastlines of South America and Africa, the similar shapes of the continental shelves, and the distribution of fossils and plants across different continents.

Why was Wegener's theory initially met with skepticism by the scientific community?

Wegener's theory was met with skepticism because it was a fundamental novelty and he was considered an outsider in the field of geosciences, lacking academic credentials in that area.

What was the term Wegener coined for the supercontinent that existed before the continents drifted apart?

Wegener coined the term 'Pangaea' for the supercontinent that existed before the continents drifted apart.

How did Wegener's personal experiences in the Arctic contribute to his scientific work?

Wegener's experiences in the Arctic, such as learning to hunt seals and drive dog sleds, contributed to his survival skills and observational skills, which were crucial for his scientific work and the development of his ideas.

What was the reaction of the botanical and paleontological communities to Wegener's theory?

The botanical community responded positively to Wegener's theory because it explained the distribution of plants and animals across the world. Similarly, paleontologists found his theory useful in explaining the similar fossil records found in different places on Earth.

How did Wegener's personal dedication to his scientific work reflect in his final Arctic expedition?

Wegener's dedication was evident in his final Arctic expedition where, despite the harsh conditions and personal risks, he prioritized the continuation of the scientific work over his own safety and comfort.

What was the ultimate fate of Alfred Wegener during his last expedition?

Alfred Wegener died of a heart attack during his last expedition in Greenland. His body was left in the ice as per his wife's wishes, as she believed that was where he wanted to be.

What aspects of Wegener's theory were later proven to be incorrect?

Wegener's theory was incorrect in the physics of continental movement, specifically in the mechanism and speed at which he believed the continents moved.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Discovery of Continental Drift

The first paragraph introduces Alfred Wegener, a meteorologist who contributed to the field of science by proposing the theory of continental drift. Wegener's unique perspective came from being an outsider to the scientific community. His passion for exploration led him to take measurements from balloons, similar to how an oceanographer would study the ocean. Wegener's interest in the Arctic and his participation in expeditions provided him with firsthand experience that contributed to his theory. His observations of how ice floes fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, along with the matching lines of ocean depths, led him to hypothesize that continents once formed a single landmass that later drifted apart. Despite initial rejection from the scientific community, Wegener's idea was revolutionary and challenged the prevailing beliefs about the Earth's structure.

05:03

🏔️ Wegener's Legacy and the Journey to Acceptance

The second paragraph delves into Wegener's personal dedication to his scientific pursuits, even at the cost of his own life. It describes his return to the Arctic at an older age, where he faced numerous challenges, including insufficient food supplies. Despite the harsh conditions and the desire of his companions to give up, Wegener was determined to continue the scientific mission. His commitment to science over personal safety is highlighted by his willingness to risk his life for the sake of knowledge. Tragically, Wegener died during one of these expeditions, but his legacy lived on. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging that while Wegener's understanding of the physics behind continental movement was incorrect, his fundamental idea—that continents move—was correct. His work laid the groundwork for the eventual acceptance of plate tectonics, a concept that continues to be relevant today.

Keywords

💡Alfred Wegener

Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist, geophysicist, and pioneer in the field of plate tectonics. He is best known for proposing the theory of continental drift, suggesting that continents move across the Earth's surface. In the script, Wegener is depicted as a scientist with a curious mind who made significant contributions to understanding the Earth's structure despite facing skepticism and rejection from the scientific community.

💡Continental Drift

Continental drift is the theory that Earth's continents have moved over geological time. Wegener's idea of continental drift was revolutionary at the time, as it challenged the prevailing belief that continents were fixed. The script illustrates Wegener's observations of how the continents' shapes and geological features matched across the Atlantic, leading him to propose that they were once joined together.

💡Pangaea

Pangaea is the name given to the supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, before the continents began to drift to their present positions. Wegener introduced the term in his 1915 book, hypothesizing that all continents were once part of a single landmass that later broke apart. This concept is central to the script's discussion of Wegener's theory of continental drift.

💡Arctic Expedition

An Arctic expedition refers to a journey undertaken to explore the Arctic region. In the script, Wegener's participation in Arctic expeditions is highlighted as a significant part of his scientific career. These expeditions allowed him to observe firsthand the phenomena that would later inspire his theory of continental drift, such as the way ice floes broke apart and the distribution of fossils.

💡Meteorology

Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere, particularly weather processes. Wegener's background as a meteorologist is mentioned in the script, emphasizing his interest in atmospheric physics. His work in meteorology involved taking measurements of the atmosphere, which required him to travel and conduct research in various environments, including the Arctic.

💡Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials, and the processes that shape it. The script discusses how Wegener's theory of continental drift drew on geological evidence, such as the matching geological features on opposite sides of the Atlantic. This interdisciplinary approach was part of what made his theory so groundbreaking, as it combined insights from geology, paleontology, and other fields.

💡Paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of ancient life, particularly through the examination of fossils. In the script, the similarity of fossil records across different continents is mentioned as evidence supporting Wegener's theory. The presence of identical or very similar fossils on continents that are now separated suggests that these lands were once connected.

💡Botanical Evidence

Botanical evidence refers to the distribution and types of plant life, which can provide insights into historical geological processes. The script notes that botanical evidence, such as the distribution of plants and the similarity of plant species across continents, was one of the lines of evidence that Wegener used to support his theory of continental drift.

💡Scientific Community

The scientific community refers to the collective body of scientists and researchers who engage in the pursuit of knowledge. In the script, Wegener's struggle to gain acceptance from the scientific community is a recurring theme. His ideas were initially met with skepticism and rejection, highlighting the challenges faced by scientists proposing novel theories that challenge established beliefs.

💡Fundamental Novelty

Fundamental novelty refers to the introduction of new and original ideas that significantly alter existing understanding. The script discusses how Wegener's theory of continental drift was considered a fundamental novelty in the field of geology. His ideas were initially met with resistance because they challenged the established views of how continents were thought to form and evolve.

💡Polar Exploration

Polar exploration is the act of traveling to and exploring the Earth's polar regions. The script describes Wegener's involvement in polar expeditions, which were adventurous and scientifically valuable at the time. His experiences in the Arctic, including learning survival skills and observing the natural environment, contributed to his development of the theory of continental drift.

Highlights

Wegener's curiosity about the existence of oceans and continents led to his theory of continental drift.

Wegener's background as a meteorologist provided a fresh perspective to geological questions.

His balloon ascents were for atmospheric measurements, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of his work.

Wegener's ambition to write a comprehensive book on atmospheric physics led him to the high Arctic.

Arctic expeditions were a significant scientific adventure during Wegener's time.

Wegener's innovative use of kites to take atmospheric measurements in the Arctic.

His survival skills in Greenland, including hunting and dog sled driving, were crucial for his research.

The observation of ice floes forming jigsaw puzzle pieces was instrumental in Wegener's idea of continental drift.

Wegener noticed the congruence of continental shapes and underwater depths, suggesting a geological connection.

His theory of continental drift was initially met with skepticism and rejection by the scientific community.

Wegener was considered an outsider in geoscience due to his lack of academic credentials in the field.

His theory drew support from botanists and paleontologists for explaining global distribution of plants and fossils.

Wegener's idea provided a unifying explanation for similar fossil records and stratigraphic columns across continents.

He persistently refined his theory over multiple publications, showing dedication to his scientific ideas.

Wegener's final expedition to the Arctic was marked by personal sacrifice and a commitment to scientific discovery.

His death during an Arctic expedition reflects his dedication to science and exploration.

Wegener's wife chose to leave him in the Arctic, honoring his love for the region and his scientific pursuits.

Although Wegener's physics of continental movement was incorrect, his fundamental idea of moving continents was correct.

The continents are indeed still moving, validating the core of Wegener's theory.

Transcripts

MOTT GREENE: Hardly anyone in the early 20th century

said, why are there oceans, and why are there continents?

Wegener is a wonderful example of how science benefits

from people coming from outside the scientific field

and saying, well, why don't you look at it this way?

Getting into a balloon and going up

into the air for a meteorologist is like getting into a boat

and going out on the ocean for an oceanographer.

NAOMI ORESKES: He goes up in a balloon

because he wants to take measurements of the atmosphere.

He's not the Wizard of Oz.

He's a scientist doing science.

MOTT GREENE: Wegener flew as much and as often as he could.

He wants to write the best book on the physics

of the atmosphere, and no one had ever

studied the atmosphere in the high Arctic before.

NAOMI ORESKES: This is a time in history

when one of the most exciting things

you can do as a scientist is to go on an Arctic expedition.

MOTT GREENE: It was adventure travel of a North

Pole, South Pole kind.

Wegener is out there in the winter night

taking these huge box kites and attaching recording instruments

to them and then winching them back down

to get his instruments back.

NAOMI ORESKES: Nobody ever said that Arctic exploration

was a picnic.

MOTT GREENE: Wegener had to learn how to hunt seals,

how to drive a dog sled, how to travel on ice without being

swept into open water, how to protect

your dogs from polar bears.

The travel in Greenland, his time with icebergs--

NAOMI ORESKES: The way in which the ice floes

formed jigsaw puzzle pieces.

MOTT GREENE: The way the ice cap splits apart and fissures.

All of this was part of his imagination

when he made his discovery of continental drift.

NAOMI ORESKES: I wouldn't really call it a discovery.

What he really had was an idea.

MOTT GREENE: He went to his office,

and his office mate said, look at this beautiful atlas

my parents gave me for Christmas.

And he wrote to his fiancee, did you

ever notice how South America fits into Africa?

Let me pause and say, there isn't a child

on earth over the age of 12 who hasn't had the same thought,

right?

You can see it.

What was different about what Wegener saw--

there were lines on the map that represented depths

under the water, and they're exactly the same shape.

That means that this is part of the structure of the Earth.

How did that come about?

Maybe the continents drifted apart.

NAOMI ORESKES: It was radical because it was new.

The Americans say the continents are fixed.

Europeans think they move, but they

think they move up and down.

And Wegener says, you're all wrong.

Yes, they move, but they move horizontally, not vertically.

MOTT GREENE: He would write a paper in 1912, and he said,

I think everybody will really be happy.

And, of course, everyone wasn't really happy.

Everyone became very unhappy.

ROGER MCCOY: There was an almost universal rejection

of his theories to begin with.

MOTT GREENE: Here's the problem--

scientists are very suspicious of fundamental novelty.

ROGER MCCOY: He was regarded as an outsider

by the geoscience community because he

had no academic credentials in that field,

and so he was not considered qualified to make

any statements in that field.

What he was doing that was so different,

though, was drawing together multiple lines of evidence--

not just geology, but vegetation and paleontology.

The botanical people responded very positively

because it explained the distribution of plants

and animals over the world.

NAOMI ORESKES: In different places on Earth,

you saw virtually the same fossil records.

The stratigraphic columns were extremely similar as well,

and Wegener's idea, his big idea,

was you could explain all of those things

if the continents had moved.

MOTT GREENE: So he would write a book in 1915.

People said, well, this is wrong, and that's wrong.

And then he wrote another book in 1920.

He comes up with the name Pangaea,

and then he wrote another one in 1922,

and he kept fixing it and fixing it and fixing it.

It's one thing to think of an idea,

and it's another thing to work it out for 20 or 30 years.

ROGER MCCOY: That book is still available on Amazon.

NAOMI ORESKES: Continental drift was something

he was interested in, but it was never

the focus of his scientific life.

MOTT GREENE: The Arctic pulled him back in.

He was really too old--

almost 50 years old.

ROGER MCCOY: He landed there with 98 tons of equipment.

MOTT GREENE: And from the beginning,

things didn't go well.

ROGER MCCOY: They had many things go wrong.

MOTT GREENE: The base in the middle of the ice cap

did not have enough food, and he said,

this is my responsibility to resupply.

ROGER MCCOY: And he got several sleds together.

MOTT GREENE: It's the worst conditions

you can possibly imagine.

His companions wanted to give up.

And at twilight, Wegener said, let's go for a walk.

And he took them out and pointed to the ice

and pointed to the sky and said, we're

trying to find out how all this works.

It doesn't matter whether we live or die.

The important thing is that the work go on.

NAOMI ORESKES: And I guess that's why

I love Alfred Wegener because it's not really about himself.

It's that he believes in science,

a kind of great, metaphorical expedition.

MOTT GREENE: At the end of all this,

they were able to supply the station

at the middle of the ice, and then they got there,

and there wasn't enough food to last

the winter for all of them.

Wegener said, I'm going to go back to the coast.

He didn't like to ride on the dog sled.

He liked to ski next to the dogs.

He had a heart attack and died.

He's still there.

The German government wanted to bring him back

for a big funeral, and his wife said, no, leave him there.

He is where he wants to be.

[WHIMSICAL MUSIC]

What he was wrong about was the physics of it,

and he thought it happened way too fast.

Here's what he got right--

the continents move.

They really do.

ROGER MCCOY: And, in fact, are still moving today.