Genesis of the Scientific Revolution in Geology
Abstract
The genesis of plate tectonics was the beginning of the scientific revolution in geology. Due to the analysis in Kuhn's terminology some elements in this revolution are able to be shown. The stabilist paradigm was replaced by the mobilist one as a consequence of changing ontological presuppositions assumed in geology. Essential new information was provided by scientific discoveries in oceanography and paleomagnetism. In connection with that a growing crisis in the stabilist paradigm took place. The explaining hypotheses, for instance the hypothesis of sea-spreading and Vine-Matthews hypothesis, came into being. Next they were united into plate tectonics. The consensus among geologists appeared also indispensable. It included a reception of the new theory in the late 1960s and an acceptance of the scientific change that was revolutionary in its character.
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