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UPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IGeographyPractice question

Forces Behind Continental Drift Theory

What were the forces suggested by Wegener for the movement of the continents?

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Briefly introduce Alfred Wegener and his Continental Drift Theory. Detail the two specific forces proposed by him—the pole-fleeing force and the tidal force—along with their directional impacts. Conclude with a brief note on their scientific validity and legacy.

Model answer

142 words

Introduction

In his Continental Drift Theory proposed in 1912, German meteorologist Alfred Wegener suggested that the supercontinent Pangaea broke apart and moved across the globe driven by two primary forces.

Forces Proposed by Alfred Wegener

  • Pole-Fleeing Force (Polflucht): This force is caused by the Earth's rotation and the resulting centrifugal force acting on the equatorial bulge. Wegener postulated that this directed the landmasses to drift equatorward (e.g., Eurasia and Africa moving toward the equator).
  • Tidal Force: This force originates from the gravitational attraction exerted by the Sun and the Moon. Wegener argued that tidal friction exerted a westward drag on the continents, causing the westward drift of the Americas away from Europe and Africa.

Conclusion

Although subsequent geophysical studies proved that both forces were far too weak to overcome lithospheric friction, Wegener's framework laid the essential conceptual foundation for modern Plate Tectonics.

Key facts to remember

definition
Pole-Fleeing Force (Polflucht)

A centrifugal force arising from the Earth's diurnal rotation acting on the equatorial bulge, which Alfred Wegener posited was responsible for propelling continents towards the equator.

example
Westward Drift of the Americas

Wegener cited the tidal drag created by the Moon and Sun as the principal mechanism responsible for separating North and South America westward from the Eur-African landmass, forming the Atlantic Ocean.

Frequently asked questions

Why were Wegener's driving forces rejected by geophysicists?

Geophysicists demonstrated that tidal and rotational forces are billions of times too weak to propel continents through dense oceanic crust. Continental movement was later correctly attributed to mantle convection currents and slab-pull forces under Plate Tectonics.

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