The theory of plate tectonics is only 56 years old. This idea makes so much sense. It explains earthquakes, volcanos, oceanic trenches, mountain building, and so much more, yet the theory dates to an American Geophysical Union meeting in Washington in April 1967. The guy who presented the idea died last week; his name was W. Jason Morgan.
Another pair of scientists affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography also published an article in the journal Nature with much the same theory, but one of those authors, Dan McKenzie, said Morgan should have priority in development the theory.
McKenzie noted that in 1965 nobody believed this. By the end of 1967 everyone believed it. Science doesn’t usually move that fast, but plate tectonics seems so obvious.
See Clay Risen, “W. Jason Morgan, 87, Scientist Who Found Tectonic Plates, Dies,” New York Times (Aug. 13, 2023), p. 23.
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