A source of profound influence and controversy, this landmark 1915 work explains various phenomena of historical geology, geomorphy, paleontology, paleoclimatology, and similar areas in terms of continental drift. 64 illustrations. 1966 edition.
Alfred Lothar Wegener (1880-1930) was a German geophysicist and meteorologist. His research focused mainly on meteorology and polar research, however he is most remembered as the originator of the theory of continental drift, i.e. that the continents are slowly drifting around the Earth. His hypothesis was controversial and widely rejected by mainstream geology until the 1950s, when novel discoveries such as palaeomagnetism provided strong support for continental drift, which is the basis for today's model of plate tectonics. Third edition, originally published in 1924.
ON THE ORIGIN OF CONTINENTS AND OCEANS is a completely new and somewhat controversial way of looking at and understanding modern scientific evidence about the origin of Earth's continents and oceans. Since the 1960s this evidence has traditionally been gathered in support of Plate Tectonic studies and as such, until now, has rarely been looked at other than from a conventional Plate Tectonic perspective. This conventional perspective insists that the origin of the continents and oceans is a random, non-predictable, and sometimes catastrophic process-a process that is understood by very few and remains unchallenged by most. In this book, the same modern scientific evidence as used in Plate Tectonic studies is used to recreate and discuss the entire 4,000 million years of Earth's recorded geological history. This discussion commences with an ancient primordial Earth comprising an assemblage of the most ancient Archaean continental crusts. Discussion then continues through the various supercontinental stages until breakup of the ancient Pangaea supercontinent occurred to form the modern continents during the late-Permian Period, as well as opening of each of the modern oceans. The location of each ancient magnetic pole is shown to remain diametrically opposed throughout this entire time, as it is today, and these poles are precisely located on all constructed models of the ancient Earth. Each established pole and equator is shown to coincide precisely with observed ancient climate zones and ancient geographical evidence. Similarly, plant and animal species evolution, extinction, and migration is shown to be intimately related to progressive continental break-up, sea-level changes, and opening of the modern oceans, in particular during the past 250 million years. By adopting this new scientific perspective it is shown that global extinctions are not related to random catastrophic events-events we are led to believe predict a gloomy end to civilisation as we know it-but, more importantly, these events are shown to coincide with non-catastrophic, wholesale continental breakup as well as climate and sea-level changes that occur naturally over many millions of years. In contrast to what we are currently led to believe in conventional tectonic studies, this new perspective is telling a completely different story about the origin of Earth's continents and oceans; one that shows a very simple, predictable, easily understood, and holistic process involving a progressively changing Earth surface area and surface curvature through time. By simply changing our misguided assumptions about the physical characteristics of the ancient Earth, the new perspective presented here represents a paradigm shift in the way we are able to understand and challenge our conventional views on the origin of the continents and oceans.
Learn how the continents have changed throughout time and how continental drift has influenced the world we live in today! Explore how the continents have drifted, from the Devonian Era to the Jurassic Period, to form the world as we know it! This beautiful book will take readers through different periods and explore the ecosystems and conditions of each time and how the changes led to where we are now. Learn about sea life, insects, animals, plants, rocks, and more! This book will be sure to capture the attention of young readers and educate them in the process!
Questions about the origin and nature of Earth and the life on it have long preoccupied human thought and the scientific endeavor. Deciphering the planet's history and processes could improve the ability to predict catastrophes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to manage Earth's resources, and to anticipate changes in climate and geologic processes. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Geological Survey, the National Research Council assembled a committee to propose and explore grand questions in geological and planetary science. This book captures, in a series of questions, the essential scientific challenges that constitute the frontier of Earth science at the start of the 21st century.
This book comprehensively discusses the practical aspects of hair transplantation in Asians. The demand for hair transplantation has increased globally in recent years and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is gaining popularity. As such the book examines the techniques used by different ethnic group in Asia, included shaving, non-shaving FUE and robotic hair restoration surgery. With the help of illustrations, it describes surgical techniques and provides numerous practical tips. Written by leading experts and offering an overview of the current state of the art of hair restoration surgery, it enables experienced surgeons in the field to achieve optimal outcomes and to improve patients' QOL. It is a must read for hair surgeons performing hair transplantation on members of the Asian population.
A New York Times-bestselling author explains how the physical world shaped the history of our species When we talk about human history, we often focus on great leaders, population forces, and decisive wars. But how has the earth itself determined our destiny? Our planet wobbles, driving changes in climate that forced the transition from nomadism to farming. Mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece. Atmospheric circulation patterns later on shaped the progression of global exploration, colonization, and trade. Even today, voting behavior in the south-east United States ultimately follows the underlying pattern of 75 million-year-old sediments from an ancient sea. Everywhere is the deep imprint of the planetary on the human. From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the breathtaking impact of the earth beneath our feet on the shape of our human civilizations.
Examples are the nature of Earth's oldest rocks, the origin of continents, extraterrestrial impact and mass extinctions of organisms, rates of organic evolution, and recent developments on the origin of humans.
The book should be of interest not only to earth scientists, students of polar travel and exploration, and historians but to all readers who are fascinated by the great minds of science.--Henry R. Frankel, University of Missouri-Kansas City, author of The Continental Drift Controversy "Science & Education"