Expert: Keith Patton - 6/16/2009

Question
Hi,
I know roughly how the wilson cycle works.

For each stage of the cycle (rift, drift, convergence, collision) what rock types (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic) and what types of structures could be seen. How would the rocks and structures of each stage overprint those of the previous stages?

Answer
Mariah:

It it a pretty complex explaination, too long to answer here.  I found two discussions of the cycle, the first link should answer your questions.  If you have more questions feel free to ask.  The first link describes the types of rocks that form at each stage and the resulting structure types too.  BTW, I had never heard it referred to as the Wilson Cycle.  I took my first geology course in 1974, 8 years after Wilson published his 1966 paper describing how the continents figured into plate tectonics, ocean basin opening and closing and the rest.  But until today, I had never heard it credited to him as his cycle.  I have given talks on plate tectonics in schools many times and never heard the term.  It was probably credited to him after his death in 1993.  I guess we all learn something new.


http://csmres.jmu.edu/geollab/fichter/Wilson/Wilson.html

http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/july07/article.html?id=feature_wilson.html