The rigid plate kinematics theory explains most of the current geodetic, geophysical and tectonic data on earth but fails to account for some anomalies. Spatial geodetic data has shown that oceanic plate interiors are not rigid because incipient boudinage and homogeneous shortening develop before buckling of the entire lithosphere. Seismicity and faulting show that the oceanic lithosphere can deform at strain rates above stable continental interiors but below plate boundary zones of variable widths. This is due to the weakening effects of fluids during hydrothermal sea floor metamorphism commonly found in oceans. Furthermore, the test of finiate strain and the implications of the Wilson Cycle are discussed. The Earth is a dissipative dynamical system open to external forcing.

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Inhaltsangabe1 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.