Question

Which of the following describes how Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen found evidence that led to the theory of plate tectonics?

Options:
Option 1: They discovered a new ocean species.
Option 2: They observed volcanic eruptions.
Option 3: They mapped the ocean floor and identified mid-ocean ridges.
Option 4: They studied ancient fossils.

Answer 1

Option 3: They mapped the ocean floor and identified mid-ocean ridges.

Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen provided critical evidence for plate tectonics by mapping the ocean floor and identifying mid-ocean ridges.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen found evidence that supported the theory of plate tectonics by creating detailed maps of the ocean floor. Their extensive mapping led to the identification of mid-ocean ridges, which played a critical role in the development of theories concerning seafloor spreading and eventual widespread acceptance of plate tectonics.

Alfred Wegener's early 20th-century hypothesis of continental drift laid the groundwork for these discoveries, but it required the additional evidence that Heezen and Tharp's work provided to persuade the scientific community.

The correct answer to the question is Option 3: They mapped the ocean floor and identified mid-ocean ridges, which was vital in the acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics.