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Who was Alfred Wegener? Trivia Quiz

If you've never heard of Alfred Wegener, here is your chance! His work has been extremely important in the advancement of our understanding of the world.

A multiple-choice quiz by russalka. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
russalka

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
368,272

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
339

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these best describes Alfred Wegener? Hint

A Swiss geologist

A Belgian chemist

An Austrian anthropologist

A German meteorologist

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is Alfred Wegener best known for? Hint

Study of sun spots

Discovery of a new constellation

Proposing the theory of continental drift

Theory of climate change

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Question 3 of 10

3. How was Wegener's theory received by the world of science? Hint

He was awarded a medal

He won the Nobel Prize

He was knighted

He was derided and discredited

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Question 4 of 10

4. When was the theory of continental drift finally completely accepted? Hint

In the 1960s

In the 1980s

In the 1930s

In the 1920s

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Question 5 of 10

5. How and where did Wegener die? Hint

Tragically, on an expedition to Greenland

Unfortunately, in a car accident

Peacefully, in his bed

Suddenly, while giving a lecture

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was Wegener studying in Greenland? Hint

the climate

the Eskimos

the currents

the icebergs

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many major tectonic plates are there? Hint

Four

Seven

Nine

Five

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Question 8 of 10

8. How are mountains formed? Hint

By tectonic plates colliding

By contraction of the crust

By earthquakes

By nuclear eruptions

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Question 9 of 10

9. Continents are still on the move. By how much do they move every year? Hint

1.6 inches

1.75 inches

3.4 inches

2.8 inches

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Question 10 of 10

10. What are Laurasia and Gondwanaland? Hint

The old names of Asia and Europe

Two ancient kingdoms

Two mythical countries

The 2 plates into which Pangaea split.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these best describes Alfred Wegener?

Answer: A German meteorologist

Alfred Wegener (1880-1930) started his career as an astronomer, but turned to meteorology later on. He participated in several expeditions to study the climate, flying in hot air balloons.

2. What is Alfred Wegener best known for?

Answer: Proposing the theory of continental drift

He was not the first scientist to imagine that the continents could drift, but he was the first to compile extensive definitive evidence, such as the patterns of the West African and Eastern South American coasts, that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. For this he is called the 'father of continental drift'.

3. How was Wegener's theory received by the world of science?

Answer: He was derided and discredited

His drift hypothesis was scorned because, not being a trained geologist, he had trodden on the 'wrong' turf. Geologists were jealous and thought he was not qualified to devise such a bold and audacious theory, especially as it went against the conventional wisdom of the time.

4. When was the theory of continental drift finally completely accepted?

Answer: In the 1960s

Sadly, the drift hypothesis was was not generally accepted until after his death.
It was discussed at conferences in 1963 and 1966, when new research made it acceptable to the world of science, and was transformed into the new concept of plate tectonics.

5. How and where did Wegener die?

Answer: Tragically, on an expedition to Greenland

He died tragically in Greenland during a blinding snow blizzard. Together with a native Greenlander, Rasmus Villumsen, they got lost and both perished.

6. What was Wegener studying in Greenland?

Answer: the climate

The climate of Greenland holds importance for Europe. A persistent low pressure system in the North Atlantic called the Icelandic Low influences European weather and is recognized as such by present day meteorologists.

7. How many major tectonic plates are there?

Answer: Seven

The supercontinent of Pangaea broke up into the present pattern of six major land masses and several minor ones during a period of 240 million years, covering the Permian, Triassic, and Cretaceous eras to the present.

8. How are mountains formed?

Answer: By tectonic plates colliding

Examples of mountains formed by colliding plates are the Alps, where Italy penetrated into Southern Europe, and India into Southern Asia, and pushed up the edge of the plates.

9. Continents are still on the move. By how much do they move every year?

Answer: 1.6 inches

This is today's calculation of continental movement. Wegener calculated that it was much higher.

10. What are Laurasia and Gondwanaland?

Answer: The 2 plates into which Pangaea split.

In the Triassic Era, 208 million years ago, Pangaea split into two supercontinents, Laurasia in the Northern hemisphere and Gondwanaland in the Southern hemisphere, separated by the Tethys Sea.

Source: Author russalka

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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