Customer Reviews

The Origin of Continents and Oceans (Dover Earth Science)

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I was looking through my little library of geology books and happened upon a 1966 paperback Dover Edition of a translation of Alfred Wegener's "The Origin of Continents and Oceans." I bought it new. How long ago? Well, let's put it this way, the price on it is $2.25. It's now a classic book. I was wondering if a new printing might be still available, and I found that the same book is still sold on Amazon and I'm amazed at the asking prices.

As scientific literature, this book is so outdated as to be almost worthless. However, it's an astonishing expression of ideas regarding continental drift (and, indirectly, plate tectonics) that was at least 40 years ahead of the acceptance of this monumental scientific revolution in thought and, as such, is a classic in the development of scientific thinking. Alfred Wegener was a giant in the Earth Sciences! The ideas expressed are stunningly modern, and totally out of date at the same time. But, it's an absolutely fascinating book to look over and I'm delighted to have it as a part of my library. Perhaps I might add that I'm a geology professor and I teach about plate tectonics and continental drift in all my classes. I always pay homage to Alfred Wegener's early 20th century work.

Gary Peterson

Alfred Wegener (1880-1930) was a German scientist, geophysicist, and meteorologist, most known for his theory of continental drift.

He states in the Historical Introduction, that "The first concept of continental drift first came to me as far back as 1910, when considering the map of the world, under the direct impression produced by the congruence of the coastlines on either side of the Atlantic. At first I did not pay attention to the idea because I regarded it as improbable. In the fall of 1911 ... I undertook a cursory examination of relevant research in the fields of geology and paleontology, and this provided immediately such weighty corroboration in my mind."

He writes, "Paleontologists ... have come again and again to the conclusion that the majority of those continents which are now separated by broad stretches of ocean must have had land bridges in prehistoric times and that across these bridges undisturbed interchange of terrestrial fauna and flora took place. The paleontologist deduces this from the occurrence of numerous identical species that are known to have lived in many different places, while it appears inconceivable that they should have originated simultaneously in these areas."

He rejects the idea of "sunken continents" such as Atlantis and Lemuria: "Where the ocean basins are involved, it is not a question whether drift theory or the theory of sunken continents is to be preferred, because the latter idea just does not come into the picture."

He states, "I must confess, however, that it is difficult to see how anyone can seriously assume today that the equatorial bulge could have kept its position unchanged, as though the earth were absolutely solid." He summarizes, "The forces which displace continents are the same as those which produce great fold-mountain ranges. Continental drift, faults and compressions, earthquakes, volcanicity, transgression cycles and polar wandering are undoubtedly connected on a grand scale. Their common intensification in certain periods of the earth's history shows this to be true."

Used amazon cause couldnt get what i wanted, arrived as said, and just spent $500 on more stuff for studying where it would have cost over twice as much, Could this be the biggest on-line selling site? If what my first purchase was like i am to get in future...I Think so...Ordered from over-seas and thumbs up.

It was very complex, with all the theories and information on continental drift.But, overall it was good.