Why did Wegener's theory of continental drift face criticism in the scientific community?

Wegener's theory of continental drift faced significant criticism primarily because he could not provide a convincing explanation for the mechanics behind the movement of the continents. At the time, the scientific community required a clear understanding of the forces that could enable entire landmasses to shift positions over geological time, yet Wegener proposed that continents drifted through solid oceanic crust without detailing how this occurred. This absence of a mechanism made it challenging for other scientists to accept his ideas, even though he presented compelling evidence such as the fit of continental shapes, fossil similarities across continents, and geological formations that matched across different landmasses.

In contrast, the other options highlight misunderstandings or misinterpretations surrounding his theory. For example, he did provide substantial evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea and its subsequent breakup, and it was not so much a contradiction with existing geological models as it was an alternative to them. Lastly, Wegener did present his theory to reputable scientists and engaged in discussions within the geological community. Thus, the key issue remained the lack of a clear mechanistic explanation for how continents could drift, which ultimately hindered the acceptance of his theory at the time.