Final answer:
Alfred Wegener is deemed by some as the father of modern physical geography, known for his theory of continental drift which laid the foundation for the study of plate tectonics in physical geography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual considered by some to be the father of modern physical geography is the German meteorologist and astronomer named Alfred Wegener. Wegener is well-known for proposing the theory of continental drift in 1920, a key concept in the understanding of Earth's geological history and physical geography. Before Wegener's theory, the idea that continents could drift was mere speculation, but with his scientific approach, he shifted the paradigm and contributed significantly to the field of physical geography. His theory suggested that the continents were once a large supercontinent that gradually drifted apart due to the slow shifting of Earth's plates, a process known as plate tectonics. Wegener's hypotheses laid the groundwork for future studies in physical geography and greatly enhanced our understanding of the Earth's surface, making him a pivotal figure in the development of modern physical geography.