Conference on Continental Drift
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Alfred Wegener proposed continental drift in 1912, leading to a debate that continued for many decades. We will pick up the story in 1963 at an imaginary conference of scientists from various disciplines who have gathered to assess the current evidence.

Conference participants :

  • Harold Jeffreys -- Karl Roe
  • G.G. Simpson -- Jenny Nilsson
  • Keith Runcorn -- Steve Anderson
  • Samuel Warren Carey -- Sylvia Poling
  • Bruce Heezen -- Josh Hewuse
  • Harry Hess -- Max Bader
  • Bill Menard -- Michael Dings
  • Ronald Mason -- Mike Latterner
  • Fred Vine -- Mark Butler
  • Maurice Ewing -- Ingunn Henrikssen
  • Richard Doell
  • Robert Dietz
  • Gordon MacDonald
  • James Heirtzler
  • Edward Bullard
  • J. Tuzo Wilson

Guiding Questions:

  • What data does the hypothesis of continental drift explain? What does it fail to explain?
  • What is the quality and certainty of the current (=mid-1963!) evidence for drift?
  • What alternative theories also explain the available data?
  • How would continents "drift"? (Is this essential to accepting Wegener's idea?)
  • How should we treat conflicting data, especially if from different disciplines or different geographical regions?

Each person must prepare a concentrated written summary of their argument (~1250 wds/person, excluding references and visuals) and present a 3-minute summary in class (without reading). Each contribution should include:

  • at least two references to contemporary documents.
  • at least one visual image appropriate to the argument (to use in class presentation)
    Evaluation will be based on how deeply you reconstruct the historical context and arguments and your contribution to class understanding on the general questions above. Your position statement is due November 11, 2003 and is worth 20% of the course grade (15% for HSci 3815).

    Simulation assembled by Douglas Allchin. || last revised Oct 15, 2003

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