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Abraham Ortelius
Ortelius theorized that the continents were once together, but over time had drifted apart from each other. His evidence was that the continents fit together like a jig-saw puzzle. However, the scientific community disagreed with him due to lack of evidence. -
Alfred Wegener
Wegener hypthozied that all continents were once part of a super continent called Pangaea. His evidence for this claim was that different continents had similar rock formations and plant life. However, he could not prove how the continents drifted apart from each other and so the scientific community disagreed with him. -
Arthur Holmes
Arthur Holmes hypothesis was that convection from the mantle caused the continents to drift apart. His evidence was that radioactive decay from the mantle was so strong that it escaped to the Earths surface causing the continents to drift apart. The scientific community believed that his hypothsis was too speculative and so disagreed with him. -
Harry Hess
Harry Hess theorized that hot magma rose from under the crust and when it cooled would expand causing the continents to drift apart. His evidence was that the temperature below the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is warmer than surrounding area and that young rocks are found near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Hess stated that this was due to magma flowing from it. The scientific community agreed with him and believed his theory of seafloor spreading. -
Frederick J Vine
Frederick Vine along with Drummond Matthews and Lawrence Morley believed that the seafloor spreading is what caused the continents to drift apart. His evidence was that magnetized rocks on the seafloor level had opposing polarities depending on where they were created. The scientific community agreed with him and believed his theory. -
Lawrence Morley
Morley believed that seafloor spreading is what caused the continents to drift apart. He stated that on the ocean floor are alternating patterns of reverse and normal polarity in rocks proving his theory. The scientific community disagreed with him stating that his theory was too speculative. -
Drummond Hoyle Matthews
Along with Frederick Vine Drummond Matthews believed that the continents drifted apart due to the seafloor spreading. His evidence was that on the sides of ridges on the ocean floor are magnetic stripes. He believed that theses magnetic stripes proved his theory as did the scientififc community. -
J. Tuzo Wilson
Wilson's theory was that there was a third type of plate called transform faults. These faults would sli[p horizontally and connect ocean ridges. He said that this third plate will allow plates to slide past each other without any oceanic crusts being destroyed. The scientific community agreed with him and his theory of a third plate.
