Looking at Earth.

The earth sciences in the 1930s pitted competing theories of continental drift against one another. German scientist Alfred Wegener's theory, proposed in 1912, was supported by geological and paleontological comparisons between South Africa and South America; similarities found on both continents suggested that they might have been joined before being forced apart. Other scientists, such as Hans Cloos, continued to oppose the idea of a continental drift caused by shifting tectonic plates, while others thought the theory helped explain the structures of certain mountain chains as well as other features.

Studies of the Weather.

Meteorology in the 1930s was dominated by ideas originating in Norway regarding isobaric observations as more effective, precise, and practical than previous options for the study of weather. The challenge was to adapt them for use in other regions of the globe with varying climatic pressures. The radiosonde...