• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.20-33
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the scientific activities of scientists justifying Wegener's continental drift in the 20th century, which is explained as a revolutionary process in earth science, and methodologically analyze the strategy of proposing new scientific theories and how the process of theory selection is carried out. Previously, the Earth was a static model and only the vertical movement of the crust was considered. However, the theory of continental drift proposed horizontal movement of the crust as a dynamic model of the Earth, eliminating numerous problems. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the rational activities of numerous scientists until the current plate tectonics theory was formed. Additionally, the theory of continental drift is in conflict with the theory of Earth shrinkage, which is an existing static model. In other words, it deviates from the existing mechanistic world view by presenting a dynamic model in which the Earth is created and changes, as opposed to a static model in which the Earth is already completed, fixed, and unchanged. As a result, old geology was weakened and new geophysics was born. The theory of continental drift and continued exploration by subsequent generations of scholars brought about a revolution in earth science. This can be said to be a good subject of investigation as educational material for various methodologies for students in earth science education, and as educational material for changing students' worldview.