Edge tectonics (Trench rollback, terrane export) of Gondwanaland-Pangea synchronized by supercontinental heat

JJ Veevers*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    29 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    From 650-500 Ma assembly, 320 Ma merger in Pangea, to 185 Ma breakup, Gondwanaland developed by the accretion of lithosphere along the convergent edge on the south and by the export of terranes from the divergent edges on the west and northeast. The interior underwent epeirogenic movement except in areas affected during the merger by farfield shortening. Synchronous or near-synchronous events on the edges and interior are linked hypothetically by convection currents in the asthenosphere driven by supercontinent-induced heat. On the convergent edge, currents countered the sinking slab to roll back the trench and generate a backarc basin. On the divergent edge, currents initiated an ocean that prised off continental rims in the form of terranes. In the interior, currents extended the lithosphere in basins and rifts.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)449-456
    Number of pages8
    JournalGondwana Research
    Volume8
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2005

    Keywords

    • Gondwanaland
    • Pangea
    • rollback
    • terranes
    • breakup
    • EASTERN GONDWANA
    • AUSTRALIA
    • EVOLUTION
    • PACIFIC
    • AFRICAN
    • BREAKUP
    • CONSTRAINTS
    • SUBDUCTION
    • PROVINCE
    • RODINIA

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