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Possible Rates of Relative Continental Motion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

G.D. Garland
G.D. Garland*
Affiliation:
University of Toronto, Canada

Abstract

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Much of the evidence for continental drift, such as the matching of coastlines, provides only an average rate over a very long time interval. Palaeomagnetic results give average velocities between 0·5 and 3·0 cm/yr, with higher values for some areas such as India. These also represent average rates over long times. Very recent research on the magnetic character of the ocean floors suggest that the present rate of ocean floor spreading can be determined. The continents of South America and Africa may be separating at a rate of 4·0 cm/yr.

RÉSUMÉ

La plupart des témoignages de la dérive des continents donnent seulement une vitesse moyenne correspondant ä une période trés longue. Les résultats paleomagnétiques donnent des vitesses moyennes entre 0·5 et 3·0 cm/an, avec des valeurs plus grandes pour l'Inde. Les recherches nouvelles sur le caractère magnétique du fond des mers peuvent indiquer la vitesse présente; il est possible que les continents de FAmérique du Sud et d'Afrique se séparent ä 4·0 cm/an.

Type
Part II: Scientific Papers
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 32: Continental Drift — Secular motion of the pole , 1968 , pp. 19 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1968 

References

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