Question

In his first paper Wegener writes:

“We now seem to have a possibility of explaining the differences in ocean depth. It seems undeniable that freshly exposed rock layers, as the Atlantic and western Indian, maintain higher temperature (perhaps 100° in the uppermost 100km on average) than old strongly cooled sea floor. Such a temperature difference would probably suffice to explain the relatively minor differences of level in the large ocean basins.

The depth variation in ocean basins appears to suggest the Mid-Atlantic Ridge should be regarded as the zone in which the floor of the Atlantic, as it keeps spreading, is continuously tearing open and making space for fresh, relatively fluid and hot rock rising from depth. We cannot consider the Mid-Atlantic Ridge as a relic of the former land connections.”


Identify the argument put forward by Alfred Wegener to explain the mid-Atlantic ridge shown in Figure 1.

Claim


Evidence



Reasoning

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Claim: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge results from the continuous tearing open and spreading of the Atlantic floor, allowing fresh, relatively fluid, and hot rock to rise from depth.

Evidence: Freshly exposed rock layers in the Atlantic and western Indian maintain higher temperatures than old, strongly cooled sea floor, possibly explaining differences in ocean depth.

Reasoning: The temperature difference, caused by the continuous spreading of the Atlantic floor along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, could account for minor variations in ocean basin levels.

In Alfred Wegener's early work on continental drift, as reflected in his initial paper, he posited an intriguing argument concerning the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. He suggested that the differences in ocean depth could be explained by the continuous tearing open and spreading of the Atlantic floor along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

According to Wegener, the freshly exposed rock layers in the Atlantic and western Indian regions maintained higher temperatures, potentially reaching around 100 degrees Celsius in the uppermost 100 kilometers on average. In contrast, the sea floor, which had become strongly cooled over time, exhibited lower temperatures. Wegener argued that this temperature disparity could account for the relatively minor differences in ocean basin levels.

He proposed that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge should be viewed as the dynamic zone where the Atlantic floor continually tears open, creating space for fresh, relatively fluid, and hot rock to rise from depth. This concept challenged the prevailing notion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge as a relic of former land connections, presenting a dynamic and geological explanation for its existence. Wegener's observations laid the groundwork for later developments in plate tectonics theory, providing an early glimpse into the dynamic processes shaping the Earth's crust.