Oceanography

Theory of formation of the Oceans

Theories concerning the formation of the ocean varies on the  characteristic topographic features of the ocean bottom.Different theory   was put forth by various scientists they are given below

1. Continental drift theory:

 This  theory was developed by Alfred wegener. For decades arguments for and against it did not come to an end, but precisely because of this, many branches of geosciences have been highly evolved  by it. . Many of Wegener’s arguments were  found convincing, others were not, especially those concerning the mechanism of the drift. From  the viewpoint of physics it seems unrealistic to assume that continents should be able to drift in the earth’s crust like ice flows through water.

 The theory of permanent oceans:

 The theory of permanent oceans dates the formation of the oceans back to the time of the solidification of the earth’s crust. The theory of bridge continents is a compromise between permanence and drift hypotheses. It tries to meet the demand of paleontology for land connections that might explain the different evolution of flora and fauna (e.g., the one that began between Africa and South America at the time of the Triassic).

 Seafloor spreading

Vine and Hess in (1960) developed the theory of “Sea Floor Spreading”. It contains two concepts: The spreading of the oceans floor and the drifting of the primary crustal plates. The latter represents a form of the continental drift, although in contrast to Wegener’s theory it is not the continents that drift but the primary crustal plates  over which the entire surface of the earth lies.