Sea-floor spreading and continental drift
Abstract
A geometrical model of the surface of the earth is obtained in terms of rigid blocks in relative motion with respect to each other. With this model a simplified but complete and consistent picture of the global pattern of surface motion is given on the basis of data on sea-floor spreading. In particular, the vectors of differential movement in the `compressive' belts are computed. An attempt is made to use this model to obtain a reconstruction of the history of spreading during the Cenozoic era. This history of spreading follows closely one previously advocated to explain the distribution of sediments in the oceans.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- June 1968
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB073i012p03661
- Bibcode:
- 1968JGR....73.3661L
- Keywords:
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- Tectonophysics: Sea-floor spreading;
- Tectonophysics: Continental drift