Open AccessRock Magnetism in Western Europe as an Indication of Continental Growth
Author(s) -
Evison F. F.
Publication year - 1937
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1937.tb07123.x
Subject(s) - geology , basement , rock magnetism , continental drift , paleomagnetism , geophysics , paleontology , position (finance) , rotation (mathematics) , remanence , earth science , geometry , geography , magnetic field , physics , magnetization , mathematics , archaeology , finance , quantum mechanics , economics
Summary The palaeomagnetic interpretation of rock magnetism has led to an increasingly elaborate set of geodynamic postulates, which now include polar wandering, continental drift, and the rotation of continents and parts of continents. An alternative approach is suggested by the hypothesis of widespread continual plastic flow of basement rocks. Remanence data for western Europe are analysed from this viewpoint, assuming that the position of the poles has always been virtually the same as at present. The inferred pattern of flow is away from the high standing interior and towards the Northeastern Atlantic Basin. The amcunt of flow increases with the age of the rock; an accelerated rate of flow is indicated during the Hercynian revolution and a relatively slow rate in more recent times. These results are in accord with the concept of continental growth by plastic flow under gravity.