Arthur Holmes : Harnessing the Mechanics of Mantle Convection to the Theory of Continental Drift.
Who discovered convection in the mantle?
Arthur Holmes (1890-1965) was an English geologist who made two important contributions to the development of geological ideas: the use of radioactive isotopes for dating minerals and the suggestion that convection currents in the mantle play an important role in continental drift.
What was Arthur Holmes idea?
Holmes primary contribution was his proposed theory that convection occurred within the Earth’s mantle , which explained the push and pull of continent plates together and apart. He also assisted scientists in oceanographic research in the 1950s, which publicized the phenomenon known as sea floor spreading.
Who proposed continental drift theory?
The theory of continental drift is most associated with the scientist Alfred Wegener . In the early 20th century, Wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other.
Who discovered convection current?
The Discovery of Convection Currents by Benjamin Thompson, Count of Rumford .
What is convection current in the mantle?
Mantle convection is the very slow creeping motion of Earth’s solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior to the planet’s surface. ... This hot added material cools down by conduction and convection of heat.
What is the mantle convection theory?
Mantle convection describes the movement of the mantle as it transfers heat from the white-hot core to the brittle lithosphere . ... Convection currents also transfer denser, cooler material from the crust to Earth’s interior through the process of subduction.
How old did Arthur Holmes think the earth was?
He estimated the age of the Earth to be 1.6 billion years , far older than was believed at the time. Holmes revised this estimate throughout his life, as measuring techniques improved. In 1953, an American geochemist, Clair C. Patterson, finally established the true age of the Earth at 4.55 billion years old.
How many layers of Earth does Holmes have?
Starting at the center, Earth is composed of four distinct layers. They are, from deepest to shallowest, the inner core, the outer core, the mantle and the crust.
What is convection cell theory?
In the field of fluid dynamics, a convection cell is the phenomenon that occurs when density differences exist within a body of liquid or gas . ... When a volume of fluid is heated, it expands and becomes less dense and thus more buoyant than the surrounding fluid.
What are the 5 evidences of continental drift theory?
They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents, paleoclimate indicators, truncated geologic features, and fossils .
What are 5 pieces of evidence that support continental drift?
The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones .
Who is the father of continental drift?
Alfred Wegener : The Father of Continental Drift.
Why is convection current important?
Convections currents in the earth’s mantle are thought to be the driving force of plate tectonics . Where the hot magma is brought near the surface by the convection currents a divergent boundary is created. The divergent boundaries form new oceans and widen existing oceans.
Why is convection current important in Earth?
Convection currents play a role in the circulation of fluids. Convection currents are the result of differential heating . ... Inside Earth, the convection of mantle material is thought to cause the movement of the overriding crustal plates, resulting in events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
How do convection currents affect the Earth?
Convection currents describe the rising, spread, and sinking of gas, liquid, or molten material caused by the application of heat. ... Tremendous heat and pressure within the earth cause the hot magma to flow in convection currents. These currents cause the movement of the tectonic plates that make up the earth’s crust .
