Continental drift, which differs somewhat from plate tectonics, was first proposed in 1910 (1911?). While it got the dynamic continents correct, the theory of drift proposed that the land masses plowed through the oceans.It also could not properly define the energy source for the movement of continents. Your curiosity is appreciated but, really, what does it matter what came before plate tectonics? The theory of plate tectonics so thoroughly encompasses the earth's dynamism in a way that previous theories could not. Every previous theory really pales in comparison.
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Although plate tectonics built on a gradual realization that there were massive forces changing the shape of continents and heights of mountains, the general view enforced by the Church was that the Earth was unchanging in any significant way and while erosion took place, it was so slow that basically no changes had occurred in the few thousand years since the Theory of Creation said God made the earth except for catastrophes like the Flood initiated by God.
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WRONG!