Alfred+Wegnener+(2)

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Alfred Wegener

Born in November 1, 1880, and died on November 1930, Alfred Wegener was a German Polar researcher, mainly focusing on geophysics; the study of physics in earth. Along with that, he was also interested in Meteorology. He is well known for his achievements in meteorology and polar research. But what made him be even more in the spotlight was that he explored the idea of continental drift. His hypothesis made controversy throughout different scientists.

Since he was little, he took an interest in hiking and taking expeditions, as well as going to Greenland on an expedition. He studied in Germany and Austria, receiving his PhD in astronomy. But he later found out that he had more of an interest in meteorology. He experimented with kites and balloons, breaking a record with his brother with a balloon keeping it in the air for 52 hours straight. After a while, he pursued his dreams of going onto an expedition. Coming back, he became a lecturer.



He started to notice the shape of the continents, and how they fit together perfectly. This idea was bothering him for a while. He introduced this idea as continental drift, where the continents were once altogether and over millions of years, they slowly started to drift apart. He got some scientists to support him, but most scientists thought he was lying, since they didnt see enough evidence. Big scientific theories took a long time to gain credibility from other scientists.

In 1930, he went on an expedition, in which he got separated from his group and got lost, died due to the low temperatures from the blizzard that he was caught in. They found his body in April of the following year.

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Bibliography:

A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries: Alfred Wegener. (n.d.). //PBS: Public Broadcasting Service//. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from [] > > > Alfred Wegener. (n.d.). //UCMP - University of California Museum of Paleontology//. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from [] > > > Alfred Wegener - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from []