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Today in History: Alfred Wegener introduces groundbreaking continental drift theory

1/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On January 6, 1912, German geophysicist Alfred Wegener presented his groundbreaking theory of continental drift to the German Geological Society. This theory laid the foundation for plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere. Wegener's ideas gained acceptance in the mid-20th century after the validation of seafloor spreading.

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Story summary

On January 6, 1912, German geophysicist Alfred Wegener presented his groundbreaking theory of continental drift to the German Geological Society. This theory laid the foundation for plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere. Wegener's ideas gained acceptance in the mid-20th century after the validation of seafloor spreading.