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OCR for page R1
STUDIES IN GEOPHYSICS
.
Continental
Tectonics
Geophysics Study Committee
Geophysics Research Board
Assembly of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
National Research Council
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Washington, D.C. 1980
OCR for page R2
Once: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the
National Research Council. whose members are drawn from the Councils of the National Academy
of Sciences. the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of
the Committee responsible for this report were chosen for their special competences and with regard
for appropriate balance.
This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved
by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the
National Academy of Engineering. and the Institute of Medicine.
The Geophysics Study Committee is pleased to acknowledge the support of the National Science
Foundation, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and
Aunosphenc Administration. the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration for the conduct of this study.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Dam
National Research Council. Geophysics Study Committee.
Continental tectonics.
(Studies in geophysics)
Based on papers presented at the .Ame~ican Geophysical Union meeting in Miami in Apr. 1978.
Includes bibliographies.
1. Plate tectonics. 2. Continents. I. Title.
1I. Senes.
QE5 11.4.N37 1980
ISBN ~309 02928-7
Available from
5~1.'36 79-26942
Office of Publications
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20418
Printed in the united States of America
OCR for page R3
Geophysics
Research Boarct
PHIL~ H. NELSON, American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Chairman
EE~-~n Am, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
JOHN D. BREDEHOEF7, U.S. Geological Survey
MUSTER G. W. C - IERON, Harvard College Observatory
RICHARD x. coo., National Bureau of Standards
CHARLES L. Dot, Dartmouth College
SIXTY ]. GWEN, University Research Park
THOMAS 0. HUG, University of Wisconsin
CECIL E. LEl~, JR., National Center for Atmospheric Research
JOHN C. MAXWELL, University of Texas, Austin
IVY I. FELLER, Ohio Sate University
ANDREW F. NAGY, University of Michigan
GORDON A. NEWIURE, JR., National Center for Atmospheric Research
JOHN S. NISBET, Pennsylvania Sate University
HUGH ODIS~w, University of Arizona
JACK E. OLIVER, Comell University
WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR., U.S. Geological Survey
RALPH O. SIMMONS, University of Illinois
VERGER E. SLOW, University of Wisconsin
. · —
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Geophysics Research Board
1V
ROSEMARY VID=E, TAOS Ammos Scientific Laboratory
A. L~COLN WASB~, University of Washington
CHARLES A. WHrl1EN, Silver Spring, .\laryland
WARREN S. WOOSTER, University of Washington
En Officio
D. =LAN BROMLEY, Yale University
C. GORDON Li-~-~-~E, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
AR~UR E. ~XWELL, WOODS Hole Oceanographic Institution
ELSKE V. P. SMITH, University of Maryland
Assembly of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Liaison Representatives
PRESTON CLOUD, U.S. Geological Survey; University of Califomia, Sand Barbara
ROBERT G. FL=GLE, University of Washington
CARL H. SAVIT, Western Geophysical Company of America
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Geophysics
Study Committee
lo,
CHARLES L. Do, Dartmouth College, Chairman
LO=S J. Bans, University of Arizona, Vice Chairman
JO~ D. B~DEHOE=, U.S. Geological Survey
ARYAN v. con, Stanforc} University
FRANCIS S. JOLSON, Universes of Texas at Dally
HUGH ODIS~W, University of Arizona
CHARLES B. OFFICER Dartmouth College
TREED H. Vie ~DEL, Sanford University
ARC Staff
THOMAS M. USSELMAN
PETROL ]. HART
DONALD C. SHAPERO
Liaison Representatives
JAMES R. BALSLEY, a. Geological Survey
EUGENE w. BIERLY, National Science Foundation
EDWARD A. FLINN, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Geophysics Study Committee
Vl
PEONS E. JOLSON, National Science Foundation
GEORGE A. KOLST~, Depa~l~ent of Energy
~cxIlAQUE s. Soon, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
CARL F. ROMNEY, Defense A3vancecl Research Projects Agency
WALTER TELESETS=, National Oceanic an] A - ospheric Administration
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Pane} on
Continental Tectonics
B. CI^RE BURCHFIEL, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Co-chai~an
JACK E. OLI - ~ Comell University, Co-chai~an
LEON T. SIL^R, Califomia Institute of Technology, Co-chai~an
LAWRENCE W. BRMLE, Purdue University
ICEVI}J C. BUR", State University of New York, Albany
GREGORY A. DAVIS, University of Southern California
GORDON P. EATON, U.S. Geological Survey
WARREN HUTTON, U.S. Geological Survey
GIBBET N. ~SON, Sate University of New York, Stony Brook
WIL~ I. HAZE, Purdue University
ROBERT W. "Y. Cornell University
SUZANNE MAHLBURG I"Y, Cornell University
G. RANDY tCELLER, University of Texas, E! Paso
EDWARD G. LIDIU, University of Pittsburgh
P--~-tR W. LIPS, U.S. Geological Survey
WILLIAM R. MUEHLBERGER, University of Texas, Austin
MARTIN A. SCHUEPBACH, Exxon Production Research Company
PETER R. VME, Exxon Production Research Comply
ISIS= ZlE=, U.S. Geological Survey
With a contribution from
T. K. HUNG, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
· —
V11
OCR for page R8
Studies
in Geophysics*
ENERGY AND CLIMATE
Roger R. Revelle, panel chairman, July 1977, 158 pp.
CLIMATE, CLIMATIC CHANGE, AND WATER SUPPLY
James R. Wallis, panel chairman, August 1977, 132 pp.
ESTUARIES, GEOPHYSICS, AND THE E.NVIRO.~ME`NT
Charles B. Officer, panel chairman, August 1977, 127 pp.
THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE AND MAG.NtEI~OS PHE RE
Francis S. Johnson, panel chairman, October 1977, 169 pp.
GEOPHYSICAL PREDICTIONS
Helmut E. Landsberg, panel chairman, .\Iay 1978, 215 pp.
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON GEOPHYSICS
Homer E. Newell, panel chairman, September 1979, 121 pp.
CO~N'TINE.bJTAL TECTONICS
B. Clark Burchfiel, Jack E. Oliver, and Leon T. Silver, panel co-chairmen.
February 1980, 197 pp.
Published to date.
· . —
V'111
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Preface
In 1974 the Geophysics Research Board completed a plan, subsequently am
proved by the Committee on Science ant! Public Policy of the National Academy
of Sciences, for a series of studies to be canker} out on various subjects relatecI to
geophysics. The Geophysics Study Committee was established to provide guid-
ance in the conduct of the studies.
One purpose of the studies is to provide assessments trom the sclentItic com-
munity to aid policymakers in decisions on societal problems that involve geo-
physics. An important part of such an assessment is an evaluation of the adequacy
of present geophysical knowledge and the appropriateness of present research
programs to provide information required for those decisions.
This study on Continental Tectonics was motivated by a combination of scien-
tific and societal problems. Among societal problems related to the solid earth
~ .. . .. lo.
that have taken on urgency in recent years are those involving natural
hazards- including questions of siting of darns, power plants, and other facilities
and the isolation of toxic and radioactive wastes. The thesis of this report is that
more reliable scientific input to the decisions conceiving these problems can be
provided only with a much improved basic understanding of continental tec-
tonics. This basic understanding has been stressed in a broader context by the
U.S. Geodynamics Committee, which is placing greater emphasis on the conti-
nents in its program planning for geodynamics in the 1980's.
1X
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Preface
The study was developed through meetings of the panel and presentation of
papers in preliminary form at the American Geophysical Union meeting in
Miami in April 1978. They provide examples of our current basic geophysical
knowledge of the architecture and processes on the continents. They also pose
many of the fundamental questions and uncertainties that require additional
research. The essays allude to several practical applications for which an im-
proved understanding of the continents is needed. In completing their papers,
the authors had the benefit of discussion at this symposium as well as the com-
ments of several scientific referees. Responsibility for the individual essays rests
with the corresponding authors.
The overview of the study summarizes the highlights of the essays and for-
mulates conclusions and recommendations. In preparing it, the pane] chairmen
had the benefit of meetings and discussion that took place at the symposium and
the comments ofthe pane] of authors and selected referees. Responsibility for its
content rests with the Geophysics Study Committee and the chairmen of the
panel.
x
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Contents
OVERVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I. SUMMARY
1. Plate Tectonics and the Continents: A Review
B. Clark Burchfiel
2. Problems of Pre-~\Iesozoic Continental Evolution
Leon T. Silver
It. PLATE-BOUNDARY TECTONICS
3. Complexities of Modern and Ancient Subduction Systems
Warren B. Hamilton
4. Intracontinental Rifts and Aulacogens
Kevin Burke
S. Evolution of Outer Highs on Divergent Continental Margins
Martin A. Schuepbach and Peter R. Vail
X1
3
13
lo
~6
31
33
~2
~0
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Contents
III. I1N'T~P~TE TECTONICS
6. Tectonics of Noncollisional Regimes The Modem Andes
and the Mesozoic Cordi]leran Orogen of the Western
Uniter! States
B. Clark Burchfie!
.Moclels for Midcontinent Tectonism
William J. Hinge, Lau;rence W. Braite, G. Randy KeIZer,
and Edward G. Lidiak
i.
S. Problems of Intraplate Extensional Tectonics, Western
United States
Gregory A. Davis
9. Geophysical ant! Geological Characteristics of the Crust
of the Basin and Range Province
Cordon P. Eaton
IV. CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTINENTAL CRUST
10. Seismic Exploration of the Continental Basement:
Trends for the 1980's
Jack E. Oliver
63
65
_^
( .'
84
96
115
11,
11. Exploration of the Continental Crust Using Aeromagnetic Data 127
lsidore Z'etz
12. Chemistry of the Lower Crust:
Inferences from Magmas and Xenoliths
Robert W. Kay and Suzanne Mahiburg My
13. Geochemical Evolution of the Continental Crust
Gilbert N. Hanson
V. CONTINENTAL EVOLUTION
14. Cenozoic Volcanism in the Western United States:
Implications for Continental Tectonics
Peter W. L`ipman
15. The Shape of North America during the Precambrian
William R. `~uehiberger
16. An Outline of the Tectonic Characteristics of China
T. K. Huang
· .
.Y11
~ ~ lo,
151
1~9
161
184
