In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the revolutionary theory of continental drift, suggesting that continents were once part of a single landmass and have since drifted apart. This idea challenged the established geological theories of the time and laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of plate tectonics. Wegener's hypothesis was initially met with skepticism, but it eventually gained acceptance, profoundly impacting the fields of geology, paleontology, and our understanding of Earth's history.

Alfred Wegener's proposal of continental drift in 1912 inspired poets to explore themes of change and instability, reflecting the dynamic nature of the Earth. This concept resonated in the works of modernist poets like T.S. Eliot, who used imagery of shifting landscapes to convey existential uncertainty.