Page:The origin of continents and oceans - Wegener, tr. Skerl - 1924.djvu/227

 Schweydar obtained a force which can effect a westward drift of the continents. “The theory of the precession of the axis of rotation of the earth under the influence of the attraction of the sun and moon is based on the supposition that the individual portions of the earth can undertake no very great displacement relatively to one another. The calculation of the movement of the earth’s axis in space becomes more difficult if the displacement of continents is admitted. In this case a distinction must be made between the axis of rotation of the continent and that of the whole earth. I have calculated that the precession of the axis of rotation of a continent lying between latitudes − 30° and +40° and the longitudes 0° and 40° west, is about 220 times greater than that of the axis of the entire earth. The continent has the tendency to rotate about an axis which deviates from the ordinary axis of rotation. By this means forces exist which work not only in a meridional but also in a westerly direction, and attempt to displace the continents; the meridional force varies in the course of the day and does not enter into our problem. These forces are considerably greater than that of the drift from the poles. The force is strongest at the equator and zero at the latitudes 36°. I hope later to be able to give a more exact description of the problem. In this way also a westerly displacement of the continents might also be rendered possible by it.” As this is only a preliminary communication, one must still await the published detailed account in order to give a conclusive opinion, nevertheless it appears to be so far certain that the most clearly recognizable movement of the earth, the westerly drift of continents,