Beyond plate tectonics.
Abstract
The application of the approaches of terrestrial plate tectonics to other members of the solar system and to the history and future of the earth is discussed. The concepts of the plate tectonics of the earth are introduced, with attention given to sea floor spreading and differences between the current model of lithospheric plates and the classical concepts of continental drift, and the interdisciplinary nature of plate tectonics studies is emphasized. Relations between the origins of the earth and the solar system are considered, including the meteorites, sun, terrestrial planets, the moon and the terrestrial satellites. Problems connected with the early history of the earth and the related evolution of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and crust are then discussed, with consideration given to the implications of lunar petrology and cosmochemistry and solar evolution. Finally, the paleoclimatological aspects of earth's future as the habitat of mankind is discussed, and earth science facilities and institutions desirable to promote further research are indicated.
- Publication:
-
American Scientist
- Pub Date:
- August 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980AmSci..68..381C
- Keywords:
-
- Artificial Satellites;
- Continental Drift;
- Earth Movements;
- Planetary Evolution;
- Solar System;
- Tectonics;
- Climatology;
- Earth Atmosphere;
- Earth Core;
- Lunar Evolution;
- Meteorites;
- Ocean Bottom;
- Paleoclimatology;
- Petrology;
- Sun;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Moon:Petrology;
- Planets:Dynamics