dave long dlsilcomcom discussing kuhn wrote understanding history plate tectonics magnetic reversal patterns encoded seafloor basalts crucial supporting data suddenly became available navy declassification adoption curve may skewed many essays oreskes _plate tectonics_ seem support idea sandwell plate tectonics martian view essay ill describe important confirmations plate tectonic theory provided satellites ships tools largely developed support cold war effort many labeled geodetic since used make precise measurements size shape earth spatial variations pull gravity tools satellite geodesy needed aspects global warfare precise satellite tracking gravity field development needed precision satellite surveillance well targeting ballistic missiles global positioning system used aspects modern warfare radar altimetery used aiming submarinelaunched ballistic missiles well inertial navigation submerged global seismic networks developed primarily monitor underground nuclear tests marine magnetometers developed primarily detection submarines multibeam sea floor mapping systems developed primarily surveying critical operational areas northern oceans navy hurry declassify data uneven coverage could revealed parts oceans found interesting dave seismic networks say middle east hazily recall story la reporters asking local geophysicists early morning quake told far could figured epicenter negative depth travelling near mach speed presumably headed towards edwards fri 13 sep 2002 113821 0700 plate tectonics update