Changes

== Developing the Theory ==

== Developing the Theory ==

Continental drift was hotly debated off and on for decades following Wegener's death before it was largely dismissed as being eccentric, preposterous, and improbable. However, beginning in the 1950s, a wealth of new evidence emerged to revive the debate about Wegener's provocative ideas and their implications. In particular, four major scientific developments spurred the formulation of the plate-tectonics theory: (1) demonstration of the ruggedness and youth of the ocean floor; (2) confirmation of repeated reversals of the Earth magnetic field in the geologic past; (3) emergence of the seafloor-spreading hypothesis and associated recycling of oceanic crust; and (4) precise documentation that the world's earthquake and volcanic activity is concentrated along oceanic trenches and submarine mountain ranges.  

Continental drift was hotly debated off and on for decades following Wegener's death before it was largely dismissed as being eccentric, preposterous, and improbable. However, beginning in the 1950s, a wealth of new evidence emerged to revive the debate about Wegener's provocative ideas and their implications. In particular, four major scientific developments spurred the formulation of the plate-tectonics theory: (1) demonstration of the ruggedness and youth of the ocean floor; (2) confirmation of repeated reversals of the Earth magnetic field in the geologic past; (3) emergence of the sea floor-spreading hypothesis and associated recycling of oceanic crust; and (4) precise documentation that the world's earthquake and volcanic activity is concentrated along oceanic trenches and submarine mountain ranges.  

== Ocean floor mapping ==

== Ocean floor mapping ==

The magnetic stripe reversals are believed by mainstream scientists to have occurred over millions of years.

The magnetic stripe reversals are believed by mainstream scientists to have occurred over millions of years.

However, creationist Dr. [[Russell Humphreys]] predicted that magnetic reversals would be found with timeframes of days or weeks, from having occurred during the Flood.

However, creationist Dr. [[Russell Humphreys]] predicted that magnetic reversals would be found with time frames of days or weeks, from having occurred during the Flood.

In an example of a successful creationists prediction, scientists subsequently found magnetic reversals that had taken place over the space of 15 days.<ref>Snelling, Andrew A., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1233/ Fossil magnetism reveals rapid reversals of the earth’s magnetic field], ''Creation'' 13(3):46–50, June 1991.</ref>

In an example of a successful creationists prediction, scientists subsequently found magnetic reversals that had taken place over the space of 15 days.<ref>Snelling, Andrew A., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1233/ Fossil magnetism reveals rapid reversals of the earth’s magnetic field], ''Creation'' 13(3):46–50, June 1991.</ref>