Vine–Matthews–Morley hypothesis
The Vine–Matthews–Morley hypothesis, also known as the Morley–Vine–Matthews hypothesis, was the first key scientific test of the seafloor spreading theory of continental drift and plate tectonics. Its key impact was that it allowed the rates of plate motions at mid-ocean ridges to be computed.
Source: Wikipedia — Vine–Matthews–Morley hypothesis (CC BY-SA 4.0)