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Continental Drift
Wegener proposed the idea of a supercontinent - Pangaea (all Earth).
Wegeners also proposed the continents were drifting from their original starting
position. However, his theory lacked evidence.
In 1929, Arthur Holmess research on convection currents in the upper mantle
indirectly supported Wegeners continental drift theory.
Finally, in the early 1960s, Harry Hess research and evidence of sea-floor spreading
supported Wegeners theory of continental drift.
Holmes research reported the outer cores 5000 F to 9000 F temperature heated the
mantle to a plasma like state.
The outer cores release of heat, travels toward the Earths surface causing the Earths
crust (lithosphere) to float like slabs of ice on the malleable upper mantle
(asthenosphere).
The movement of the crust via convection currents gave Wegeners theory of plate
tectonics/continental drift validity.
Hot Spots
An area where a magma
chamber continually resides,
regardless of plate movement.
Examples: Hawaiian Islands
and Yellowstone.