Q-Critically evaluate the hypothesis of Tetrahedral

regarding the origin of continents and ocean basins.

OR
Q- Evaluate critically the “Tetrahedral hypothesis of
Lothian Green”.
Many scientists have attempted to solve the problems of the
origin and distribution of the continents and ocean basins on
the basis of fundamental principles of geometry.
The dodecahedral hypothesis (dodeca is a Greek word which
means twelve) of Elie de Beaumont is considered to be the first
attempt in this field. An attractive hypothesis which has
enjoyed a considerable vogue was initiated by Lowthian Green
in 1875'.

His hypothesis is based on the characteristics of a tetrahedron

which is a solid body having four equal plane surfaces, each of
which is an equilateral triangle.

He based his hypothesis on the following two basic principles of

geometry:
(1) A sphere is that body which contains the largest volume
with respect to its surface area;
(2) 'A tetrahedron is that body which contains the least volume
with respect to its surface area'.
After many experiments Lowthian Green opined that a sphere if
subjected to uniform pressure on all its sides would be
transformed into the shape of a tetrahedron.
According to him when the earth was originated it was in the
form of a sphere. In the beginning the earth was very hot but it
gradually began to cool down due to loss of heat.
First, the outer part of the earth cooled down and thus was
formed the crust but inner part of the earth continued to cool
down.

Consequently, the inner part of the earth was subjected to

more contraction due to continued cooling and thus there was
marked reduction in the volume of the inner part of the earth.
Since the upper part, the crust, was already cooled and
solidified and hence it could not be subjected to further
contraction.
This resulted into possible gap between the upper and inner
parts of the earth.
Consequently, the upper part collapsed on the inner part and
ultimately the earth began to assume the shape of a
tetrahedron.
Lowthian Green postulated his hypothesis after considering the
characteristics of the distributional pattern of land and water
over the globe. Barring a few drawbacks and defects the
tetrahedral hypothesis successfully explains the following
characterstics of the continents and ocean basins.
(1) Dominance of land areas in the northern hemisphere and
water areas in the southern hemi-sphere;
(2) Triangular shape of the continents and oceans;
(3) Situation of continuous ring of land around north polar sea
and location of South Pole in land area(Antarctica) surrounded
by water from all sides;
(4) Antipodal arrangement of the continents and oceans;
(5) Largest extent of the Pacific Ocean covering one third area
of the globe and
(6) Location of chain of folded mountains around the Pacific
Ocean.

Lowthian Green claimed to see a tetrahedral arrangement in

the distribution of the continents. and oceans in such a way
that the earth was linked to a tetrahedron having four flat faces
and standing on one point.
The upper flat face represents the Arctic Ocean while the
remaining three faces represent the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic
Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

CRITICISMS-
It successfully explains the characteristic features of the
distributional pattern of the present-day continents and ocean
basins but because of certain basic defects and errors the
hypothesis is not accept-able to the modern scientific
community.
1. It is argued that the balance of the earth in the form of
tetrahedron while rotating on apex cannot be maintained
2. The earth is rotating so rapidly on its axis that the spherical
earth cannot be converted into a tetrahedron while contracting
on cooling.
3. This hypothesis believes more or less in the permanency of
continents and ocean basins while the plate tectonic theory
has validated the concept of continental drift.