You might have heard about some geographical theories like the continental drift theory in your classes.The proponent of the idea, Alfred Wegener, is a man of vision. He has immensely contributed to the fields of geophysics and meteorology.Alfred Lothar Wegener was a renowned German polar researcher, geophysicist, and meteorologist. He is honored for his valuable contributions to meteorology and polar research, which revealed many secrets hidden in geography. He also unraveled the mystery of tectonic plates, which were subject to several controversies. In the early 50s, his theories faced severe setbacks as geologists across the globe questioned and put them down.The discoveries such as paleomagnetism backed the continental drift theory, which further became the basis for an expanse of theories on plate tectonics. With the polar expeditions to Greenland, he could draw observations on polar air circulation and meteorology in the polar regions. Alfred became the first to overwinter on the freezing lands of Greenland.Read further to learn about his early life and beginnings, schooling, and research works! Afterward, also check out Alberta spruce tree facts and Alberto Giacometti facts.The Early Life Of Alfred WegenerHere are some mind-blowing facts about Alfred Wegener’s early life!Born in Berlin in November 1880, Alfred Wegener was the youngest of five to Richard Wegener and Anna Wegener. Hailing from a clergyman’s family, Wegener’s father Richard was a theologian and taught classical languages at the Berlisiches Gymnasium Zum Grauen Kloster. Neighboring their manor house near Rheinsberg is the Alfred Wegener Memorial Site and tourist information office.You might know the reputed German actor, writer, and film director Paul Wegener. Alfred Wegener was cousin to Paul Wegener. In 1913, on returning from his second Greenland expedition, Alfred tied knots with Else Koppen, the daughter of his former mentor and official meteorologist Wladimir Köppen.They settled in Marburg when Alfred pursued his university lectureship. When their two elder daughters, Sophie and Hilde, were born in Marburg, their third daughter Hanna Charlotte was born in Hamburg. Wegener died shortly after his fiftieth birthday in 1930, during his last visit to Greenland.The Schooling Of Alfred WegenerThe beginnings and schooling of Alfred are undeniably fascinating. It was his thirst to dive into the meteorological and geographical mysteries of the universe that led him to a torrent of research papers and concluding observations on the marvel we live in.Alfred did his schooling at Kollnisches Gymnasium in Berlin and graduated with flying colors. From Berlin, Heidelberg and Innsbruck studied Physics, meteorology, and astronomy. While pursuing his studies, he served as an assistant at the Urania Astronomical Observatory from 1902 to 1903. He secured a doctorate in astronomy in 1905 from the present-day Humboldt University by presenting a research thesis under Julius Baushchinger.Unarguably, his interest in meteorology and climatology drove him to scale heights of the discipline. Later, he served as an assistant at the Aeronautisches Observatorium Lindenberg in 1905. His brother Kurt Wegener accompanied him, for both had immense interest in meteorology and polar research. They both evolved the idea of using weather balloons to keep track of air masses.They proposed a ‘Libellanquadrant’ to undertake meteorological investigations and celestial navigations. The Wegener Brothers have a world record for continuous balloon flights in 1906.The Research Work Of Alfred WegenerHaving learned about this remarkable scientist’s early life, family, and schooling, let’s now skip to the contributions he made to the scientific world. Read here to explore some astounding theories he had put forward, including the famous theory of continental drift.Wegener’s ideas on jigsaw fit, glacial deposits, tectonic fits, fossil evidence, and geological fits have been studied to date. The theory of Jigsaw fit is puzzling to learn! The theory noted that the coastline of South America and West Africa are similar in outline and that their coastlines match at a depth of thousand meters below the current sea level.The gaps and overlaps in this track were explained by coastal erosions, depositions, rising sea level, and landmass changes since separation through continental drift.Tracking the physical geology of South America and West Africa revealed that the cratons, also called rock outcrops, of over 200 million years old are spread across either continent. The theory on geological fit backed the theory of continental drift.Not just rock outcrops, old fold mountains aging 450 to 400 million years ago can be discovered in either continent today. If you reassemble these landmasses, these mountain belt displays a linear feature. What Wegener noticed was already theorized by Albert Einstein in his theory. Only the scientific community had to realize the origin of continents to prove Wegener’s theory as truth.Surprisingly, the glacial deposits belonging to the Permo-Carboniferous glaciation dating to around 300 million years were found in Antarctica, Australia, India, South America, and Africa. Unlike now, if the continents were stuck together, they would have represented an ice sheet.Apart from these, identical fossils of the same age were also discovered from the regions. However, there are several; contradicting views in response to this finding.In 190, Wegener took part in the first of his four expeditions to Greenland via the Atlantic Ocean to study the oceanic crust and continents drifting. In the first expedition, he lost his two colleagues in an exploratory trip undertaken with a dog sled and succumbed to the wilderness of ice. On returning in 1908, he joined the University of Marburg as a lecturer to teach meteorology, applied astronomy, and cosmic physics until World War I.In his second expedition to Greenland, Wegener and his Danish expedition leader John Peter Koch embarked winter on the inland ice. Before his third expedition, Wegener established his continental drift theory in 1926 at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in New York City, which was first disapproved and then widely accepted with his notable publication. This expedition was undertaken in 1929. In the fourth and last expedition of 1930, Wegener died after they established three permanent weather stations on the ice sheets of Greenland.The Accomplishments Of Alfred WegenerOn Wegener’s centenary in 1980, the Alfred Wegener Insitute for Polar and Marine Research was established to honor his achievements in Bremerhaven in Germany. Wegener medal is awarded by the same.Did you know that the craters like those of Mars and Moon, the asteroid 29227 Wegener, and the peninsula in Greenland that took his life, the Weger Peninsula, are all named after him? Also, the scientist who makes exceptional achievements in atmospheric optics, hydrological, and ocean sciences are awarded an Alfred Wegener Medal and Honorary Membership by the European Geosciences Union. Wegener published two significant works, ‘The Origin of Continents and Oceans’ in 1915, which gained wide recognition as it enshrines Wehener’s ideas.Wegener’s work has made us understand geological epochs and how we must treat our continents and oceans at present. Other scientists have made considerable contributions to Wegener’s theory.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Alfred Wegener facts, then why not take a look at Alexa Canady facts or Alfred Nobel facts?
You might have heard about some geographical theories like the continental drift theory in your classes.
