This book examines and explains the geo-dynamic processes on which the theory of continental drift is based and which have led to the concept of plate tectonics, including the formation of mountains; the volcano and earthquake zones of the Pacific, and more.

How are mountains formed? Why are there old and young mountains? Why do the shapes of South America and Africa fit so well together? Why is the Pacific surrounded by a ring of volcanoes and earthquake prone areas while the edges of the Atlantic are relatively peaceful?

Frisch and Meschede and Blakey answer all these questions and more through the presentation and explanation of the geo-dynamic processes upon which the theory of continental drift is based and which have lead to the concept of plate tectonics.

Presents many examples from North America and around the World Includes over 190 excellent full colour diagrams and maps An excellent introduction to geodynamics and plate tectonics, accompanied by boxed detailed summaries of key concepts and methods Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Wolfgang Frisch was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1943. He studied in Vienna and worked at the Mining University of Leoben (Austria), the University of Vienna, and the Technical University of Munich (Germany), before he was appointed to Tübingen (Germany) University where he held the Chair in Geology until his retirement in 2009. His research interests include structural geology and geodynamics, the genesis of mineral deposits, and the petrology of magmatic rocks. His working areas include the Alps, southeastern Europe, the Himalayas and Tibet, Arabia and Egypt, as well as Greenland, middle America, and Africa. Martin Meschede, born in 1957 is Professor of Regional and Structural Geology at the University Greifswald, Germany. He received his Diploma in Geology from the University Hannover, Germany, and his Ph.D. from the University of Tübingen (Germany). His research interests include geodynamics, structural geology, paleogeography reconstructions, particularly in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific region; marine geology as well as neotectonic and glacial processes in the Baltic Sea area. Roland Blakey is Professor Emeritus of Geology at Northern Arizona University (US) following over 34 years of teaching courses in Historical Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Field Geology, and Tectonics. Most of his scholarly publications concern the sedimentary rocks and geologic history of the American Southwest. He is involved in the reconstruction of paleogeography maps that document past Earth history.

Inhalt

1. Contractional theory, continental drift and plate tectonics,- 2 Plate movements and their geometric relationships,- 3. Continental graben structures,- 4. Passive continental margins and abyssal plains,- 5. Mid-ocean ridges,- 6. Hot spots,- 7. Subduction zones, island arcs and active continental maragins,- 8. Transform faults,- 9. Terranes,- 10. Early Precambrian plate tectonics,- 11. Plate tectonics and mountain building,- 12. Old orogens,- 13. Young orogens - the Earth's loftiest places.