Comments on: Behind the Scenes with Helena Carmena-Young http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/earthquake/?p=51 The making of an exhibit Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:59:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: btannenbaum http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/earthquake/?p=51&cpage=1#comment-8 btannenbaum Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:50:15 +0000 http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/earthquake/?p=51#comment-8 Dr. Peter Roopnarine, Curator in the Academy’s Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Geology responds:

“It’s very thoughtful of the visitor to point out Wegener’s contribution. Alfred Wegener, a German geologist and meteorolgist in the early 20th century, was the first scientist to suggest continental drift. As such, he is enormously important in modern geology and is rightfully credited as the forefather of the Theory of Plate Tectonics.

Contrary to popular belief, however, Wegener was not ridiculed for his idea during his lifetime. He published several works on the topic, including a book that is still available. His idea was met with general skepticism in the earth sciences community, and among a large segment of the biological community, but was embraced by many paleontologists and sedimentologists.

Wegener, however, lacked a verifiable mechanism to explain continental drift, and that was the major reason for it not being accepted. Nevertheless, during his lifetime he was one of Germany’s most prominent and successful scientists, and is also credited with founding the modern science of polar climatic studies.

Wegener unfortunately died quite young while on expedition in Greenland, and did not live to see his idea develop into the modern, fundamental theory of plate tectonics. That had to wait until after World War II, with the development of powerful sonar and magnetic mapping of the ocean floor.

The resulting theory of Plate Tectonics was definitely controversial for some time, though it gained relatively quick acceptance in Europe and parts of Asia. It was very slow to be accepted in the United States, primarily because of strong personalities involved.

Wegener’s absence from the exhibit, I think, is in keeping with the absence of mention of any scientists personally. If we did mention Wegener., though he would be the most prominent, then we would also have to mention other key figures, such as Heezen or Hess, lesser known to the public but no less deserving of credit and great geologists in their own right.

—Dr. Peter D. Roopnarine, Curator
Department of Invetebrate Zoology & Geology
California Academy of Sciences

]]> By: Kas Broemmer http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/earthquake/?p=51&cpage=1#comment-7 Kas Broemmer Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:46:08 +0000 http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/earthquake/?p=51#comment-7 I have visited the Earthquake exhibit several times, and I commend the Academy for once again bringing wonderful educational material to the public. However, I notice the absence, due to omission or inconspicous display, of information on Alfred Wegener, who is credited with the Continental Drift Theory.

I believe it is important to highlight the fact that despite tremendous ridicule and professional criticism, Wegener remained convicted in his theory, which was later confirmed decades after his death. His persistence to discover scientific evidence to support his believe serves as an inspiration to the public, especially the budding young scientists who visit the Academy.

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