Soft Plate and Impact Tectonics

1 Introduction.- 1.1 From Continental Drift to Rigid Plate Tectonics (1910-1968).- 1.2 Soft Plate Tectonics (1987-1996).- 1.3 Beyond Plate Tectonics (1980-?).- 2 Global Tectonics with Rigid Plates: Foundations and Limitations.- 2.1 Plate Tectonics in Oceans and Continents.- 2.2 Plate Rigidity as a Postulate.- 2.3 Effects of Fluids on Deformation and Its Implications for Composition and Rheology of Lithosphere.- 2.4 Strain and Strain Rates in the Lithosphere: Present and Past.- 2.5 Stress in the Lithosphere: Present and Past.- 2.6 Distributed Deformation in the Lithosphere.- 2.7 Kinematics, Strain and Rheology in Plate Boundaries and Deformed Plate Interiors.- 3 Global Tectonics with Deformable Plates.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Boudinage of Oceanic Lithosphere: Incremental Aseismic Strain.- 3.3 Homogeneous Shortening of Oceanic Lithosphere.- 3.4 Buckling of the Lithosphere.- 3.5 Viscoelastic Rebound.- 3.6 Tectonic Significance of Fractal Dimensions in Seismicity.- 3.7 Finite and Incremental Strain in Discontinuous Deformation Using Scaling Laws for Faulting.- 3.8 Finite Kinematics and Intraplate Strain.- 3.9 Finite Intraplate Strain: Tests and Paths.- 3.10 Conclusion: The Rheology of Oceanic and Continental Lithosphere.- 3.11 Conclusion: The Driving Mechanism.- 3.12 Time-Dependent Mechanical Response of the Oceanic Lithosphere; Strain Partitioning and Deformation Mechanisms.- 4 The Wilson Cycle Revisited.- 4.1 Plate Tectonics as a Dynamic Process.- 4.2 Intraplate Rift Stage.- 4.3 Red Sea Stage.- 4.4 Atlantic Stage.- 4.5 Diffuse Divergent Plate Boundaries: The Azores Triple Junction.- 4.6 Triggering of Subduction.- 4.7 From Passive to Active Margin: West Iberia.- 4.8 Obduction.- 4.9 Pacific Stage.- 4.10 Collision Stage.- 4.11 Intraplate Orogens.- 4.12 Dynamics of the Lithosphere: Inferences from Tectonics.- 4.13 Plate Tectonics Through Time and Space.- 5 The Earth as an Open Dynamic System.- 5.1 Introduction: Impact Tectonics.- 5.2 Tore as an Impact Crater in the Ocean.- 5.3 Tore as a Strain Marker in Mature Oceanic Lithosphere.- 5.4 Impact Tectonomagmatism at Tore.- 5.5 Conclusion.- References.

From the reviews:

"The book challenges one of the core assumptions of Plate Tectonics - that the plates are rigid and don't undergo deformation. ... this book is a valuable contribution to the current debate ... . This is an interesting book, about results rather than methods, which is why the author has included such an extensive and valuable reference list. ... this book is a rewarding read that could change your outlook. Geoscientists of all flavours will find something of interest in this book ... ." (Kevin McCue, The Australian Geologist, Issue 127, 2003)

"A new book with an interesting hypothesis ... A fundamental tenet of plate tectonics is incorrect - namely that the plates are rigid. ... Overall, I found the book to be very well organized ... . The writing is extremely clear. ... The best praise I can give Soft Plate and Impact Tectonics is that I enjoyed reading it, learned a lot, and will recommend it to others. ... The book will be very useful for graduate students." (Basil Tikoff, EOS - American Geophysical Union, Vol. 83 (50), 2002)