What are some flaws in Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory?

It took another 50 years or more for geologists to accept the current theory of plate tectonics, which was based on more evidence that included the theory that mantle convection plumes drive plate movement. His theory was rejected at the time because he could not explain a mechanism that would cause the Earths' crustal plates to shift around. He also had rates of movements for his continents that seemed very unlikely - too high.

Some flaws in Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory include:

1. Lack of Mechanism: Wegener proposed the concept of continents drifting apart, but he failed to provide a plausible mechanism to explain how this movement occurred.

2. Insufficient Evidence: During Wegener's time, the evidence supporting continental drift was limited and largely circumstantial. He primarily relied on similarities in fossil and geological formations between continents, which was criticized for being anecdotal.

3. Resistance from the Scientific Community: Initially, Wegener faced significant skepticism and rejection from the scientific community, as his theory contradicted prevailing geological beliefs and lacked empirical support.

4. Inadequate Explanation for Seafloor Spreading: Wegener's theory did not account for the process of seafloor spreading, which was later identified as a key mechanism driving continental movement by the theory of plate tectonics.

5. Lack of Detailed Geological Data: Wegener's theory was hindered by a lack of comprehensive geological data and mapping techniques to support his claims. It wasn't until later advancements in technology and research methodologies that the evidence for continental drift became more compelling.

6. Timing of Drift: Critics argued that Wegener's proposed rates of continental drift were implausible given the geological timescales involved, questioning the feasibility of continents moving significant distances over relatively short periods.

7. Geological Constraints: Some geological features, such as the apparent continuity of mountain ranges across separate continents, posed challenges to Wegener's theory, as they seemed difficult to reconcile with the concept of drifting continents.

Some flaws in Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Theory include:

1. Lack of Mechanism: Wegener proposed the idea of continental drift but didn't provide a convincing mechanism to explain how continents could move through the solid crust of the Earth. Without a mechanism, his theory faced skepticism from the scientific community.

2. Insufficient Evidence: Although Wegener gathered various pieces of evidence to support his theory, such as matching coastlines, similar fossil distributions, and geological similarities between continents, his evidence was considered insufficient to fully support the concept of continental drift.

3. Rejection of Key Geological Concepts: Wegener's theory challenged established geological beliefs of his time, such as the permanence of continents and the stability of the Earth's crust. Many geologists were reluctant to accept Wegener's ideas because they contradicted fundamental geological principles.

4. Misinterpretation of Geological Features: Some critics argued that Wegener misinterpreted geological features, such as mountain ranges and rock formations, to fit his theory of continental drift. They suggested alternative explanations for these features that didn't involve the movement of continents.

5. Incomplete Understanding of Seafloor Spreading: Wegener's theory didn't incorporate the concept of seafloor spreading, which was later proposed as a mechanism for continental drift. Seafloor spreading provided a more comprehensive explanation for the movement of continents and ocean basins, leading to the development of the theory of plate tectonics.

Overall, while Wegener's Continental Drift Theory was groundbreaking and sparked further scientific inquiry, it had several flaws that prevented it from being widely accepted until later developments in plate tectonics provided a more robust framework for understanding the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.