The Wilson cycle: Rifting and the formation of continental margins
As the concept of sea floor spreading gained acceptance in the late 60's, the consequences for geology gradually began to dawn. One of the first to recognise how plate tectonics could be applied to the geological record was J. Tuzo Wilson. If continents r
(1) Rifting of continents by mantle diapirism
(2) Continental drift, seafloor spreading & formation of ocean basins
(3) Progressive closure of ocean basins by subduction of ocean lithosphere
(4) Continental collision and final closure of ocean basin
The two diagrams below illustrate some simple concepts of continental rifting (e.g. the Gondwana continent) at the start of the Wilson Cycle. Uprising plume causes doming of crust with magma chamber developing underneath. As extension continues, an ocean
From Tarney, Leicester Uni.
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