Question

What was the main reason why Alfred Wegener's theory about the movement of the continents was dismissed in 1912?

His theory explained the Earth was expanding as the plates moved

He didn't know about plate tectonics to explain how the plates moved

His map of the ocean floor did not support his theory

His theory was the first to observe the continents fit together

Answer 1

He didn't know about plate tectonics to explain how the plates moved

Step-by-step explanation:

Wegener believed the continents had pushed through the ocean floor. However, he did not have a satisfactory explanation for how this happened. There was no known source of energy large enough to move continents through the sea floor. Also, although scientists had data about the interior of Earth from earthquakes, there were no clues in Earth's crust to show that the continents had broken through the sea floor. Given this lack of evidence to explain the mechanism of continental drift, scientists did not accept this idea.

Answer 2

His map of the ocean floor did not support his theory

Step-by-step explanation:

• Alfred Wegner was a great scientist
• He observed the plate tectonics of earth and described it in a theory.
• It was dismissed after viewing his ocean floor