Re: New geosciences model explains ocean formation

In article <8ERSf.829643$x96.534799@attbi_s72>, George wrote:
"In recent years, academic and petroleum industry studies of continental
margins have shown that their evolution is more complex than that predicted
by earlier models," said Lavier.

Hmmm. From the description in the article, I can't really see where
there's a new model. The 'pure shear' and 'ductile deformation' models were
considered as "end members" of a continuum of possibilities. Lavier seems to
be talking about a model quite similar to the "decolletment zone" model that
has been a synthesis of the two end members which has been popular for a
couple of decades now, significantly supported by the deep seismic observation
of low angle faults cutting the full thickness of the crust, and frequently
displacing the Moho as well.
Maybe he's come up with a more computationally efficient model, or a
better parameterisation for it.

--
Aidan Karley, FGS
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Location: 57°10'11" N, 02°08'43" W (sub-tropical Aberdeen), 0.021233

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