Wilson Cycle

Definition

A Wilson cycle describes a large tectonic cycle lasting for more than 100 million years. Such a cycle, named after J. Tuzo Wilson (1908–1993), one of the doyens of plate tectonics, starts with the breakup of a continent and growth of an ocean at a newly formed mid-oceanic rift system. Such oceans may remain limited in size or attain the dimensions of the Atlantic or even Pacific Ocean. Eventually, the ocean closes during continent-continent collision ending the cycle.

Stages of the Wilson cycle

Beginning with the splitting of a so far stable craton (Figure 1a), probably related to a rising mantle plume, the Wilson cycle continues with the formation of a graben system (Figure 1b). The graben is still underlain by continental lithosphere which, however, may be thinned because of extensional tectonics. With ongoing separation of the continental blocks, a new zone of production of oceanic lithosphere in between is formed. This rift zone remains in the middle of the new oceanic...