Abstract
Since the dawn of plate-tectonics theory, almost 30 years ago, a vaste amount of evidence has accumulated that has continuously necessitated correction of its paradigms. Anyhow, the basic principle - subduction on a constant-radius Earth - remained unaltered being assumed by the majority of Earth scientists. Still there is a little community of ‘heretics’ who question the unanimously accepted ‘truth’, the more so as, until now, there has been no peremptory proof either in favour or against a constant-radius Earth through geological time. It is beyond the scope of this paper to provide evidence in favour of Earth expansion. What we shall try to show is that orogeny may well be understood without any implication of subduction and with only subordinate participation of lithospheric compression. Yet, we are aware that beside direct evidence this is what the Earth expansion hypothesis needs most in order to increase its credibility.
“Most heresy is false; yet latent within it are the gems of the age” (S.W.Carey, 1983)
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bachtadse, V., Heller, F.,and Kröner, A., 1983, Palaeomagnetic investigations in the Hercynian mountain belt of Central Europe, Tectonophys., 91:285–299.
Badham, J.P.N., 1982, Strike-sliporogens-an explanation for theHercynides, J. geol. Soc. London, 139:493–504.
Bébien, J., Dubois, R.,and Gauthier, A., 1986, Example of ensialic ophiolites emplaced in a wrench zone: Innermost Hellenic ophiolite belt (Greek Macedonia), Geology, 14: 1016–1019.
Cadet, J.P., Kobayashi, K., Lallemand, S.,and Jolivet, L., 1986, Subductionin the Japan Trench:the Kaiko results, in:“The Origin of Arcs”, F.-C. Wezel,ed., Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Carey, S.W., 1983, Tethys and her forebears, in:“The Expanding Earth.A.Symposium”, S.W. Carey,ed., University of Tasmania.
Crespo-Blanc, A., 1992, Structure and kinematics of a sinistral transpressive suture between the Ossa-Morena and the South Portuguese Zone,South Iberian Massif, J. geol.Soc. London, l49: 401–411.
Dewey, J.F., and Bird, J.M., 1970, Mountain belts and the new global tectonics, J. Geophys.Res., 75: 2625–2647.
Dorschner, J., 1986,“Planeten-Geschwister der Erde?”, Urania Verlag, Leipzig.
Ellis, M.,and Watkinson, A.J., 1987, Orogen-parallel extension and oblique tectonics:the relation between stretching lineations and relative plate motions, Geology, 15: 1022–1026.
Fitch, T. J., 1972, Plate convergence,transcurrent faults and internal deformation adjacent to southeast Asia and the western Pacific, J.Geophys.Res., 77:4432–4460.
Hanmer, S., 1981, Tectonic significance of the northeastern Gander Zone,Newfoundland: an Acadian ductile shear zone, Can.J.Earth Sci., 18: 120–135.
Mascle, A., Biju-Duval, B., de Clarens, P., and Munsch, H., 1986, Growth of accretionary prisms: tectonic processes from Caribbean examples, in: “The Origin of Arcs”, F.-C. Wezel,ed., Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Mawer, C.K.,and White, J.C., 1987, Sense of displacement on the Cobequid-Chedabucto fault system, Nova Scotia,Canada, Can.J.Earth Sci., 24: 217–223.
Murphy, J.B., and Nance, R.D., 1991, Supercontinent model for the contrasting character of Late Proterozoic orogenic belts, Geology, 19:469–472.
Oldow, J.S., Bally, A.W., and Avé-Lallemant, H.G., 1990, Transpression, orogenic float,and lithospheric balance, Geology, 18:991–994.
Piasecki, M. A. J., 1988, Strain-induced mineral growth in ductile shear zones and a preliminary study of ductile shearing in western Newfoundland, Can. J.Earth Sci., 25: 2118–2129.
Ramananantoandro, R., 1988, Seismic evidence for mantle flow beneath the Massif Central rift zone (France), Can.J.Earth Sci., 25:2139–2142.
Sleep, N.H., 1992, Archean plate tectonics: what can be learned from continental geology?, Can.J.Earth Sci., 29: 2066–2071.
Smith, M., 1988, Deformational geometry and tectonic significance of a portion of the Chilliwack Group, northwestern Cascades,Washington, Can.J.Earth Sci., 25: 433–441.
Strachan, R.A., Holdsworth, R.E., Friderichsen, J.D.and Jepsen, H.F., 1992, Regional Caledonian structure within an oblique convergence zone,Dronning Louise Land, NE Greenland, J. geol.Soc. London 142:359–371.
Strutinski, C., 1987, Strike-slip faults-what are they really standing for? General features with exemplifications from the Romanian Carpathians, Studia Univ.Babş-Bolyai,Geol.-Geogr., XXXII:47–59.
Strutinski, C., 1990, The importance of transcurrence phenomena in mountain building, in:“Critical Aspects of the Plate Tectonic Theory”,vol.II, V.Beloussov A.O.,eds., Theophrastus Publ.S.A., Athens.
Sylvester, A.G., 1988, Strike-slip faults, Geol.Soc.Am.Bull., 100:1666–1703.
Sylvester, A.G.,and Smith, R.R., 1976, Tectonic transpression and basement-controlled deformation in San Andreas fault zone,Salton Trough,California, Am.Assoc.Petrol.Geol.Bull., 60:2081–2102.
Tchalenko, J.S., 1970, Similarities between shear zones of different rnagnimdes, Geol.S0C.Am.Bull., 81:1625–1640.
Vauchez, A., and Nicolas, A., 1991, Mountain building:strike-parallel motion and mantle anisotropy, Tectonophys., 185:183–201.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Strutinski, C. (1994). An Orogenic Model Consistent with Earth Expansion. In: Barone, M., Selleri, F. (eds) Frontiers of Fundamental Physics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2560-8_32
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2560-8_32
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6093-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2560-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive