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Whose work first explained why Earth’s continents can drift on moving plates?
Quick Answer
Arthur Holmes is the geologist who proposed mantle convection as the engine. His idea gave continental drift a plausible mechanism.
The Full Story
British geologist Arthur Holmes suggested in the 1920s and 1930s that heat-driven convection in the mantle could move Earth’s outer shell. This was important because Alfred Wegener’s continental drift lacked a convincing mechanism. Holmes also made major contributions to geologic dating and the age of Earth. His convection hypothesis later fit naturally into plate tectonics, where mantle processes help drive plate motion.
Key Facts
1.Holmes proposed mantle convection in the 1920s–1930s
2.provided a mechanism for continental drift
3.also advanced radiometric dating
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"What actually moves the continents?"
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