1970/01/01 by Peter J. Coney · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Computer Science · #Geological and Geochemical Analysis #Seismology and Earthquake Studies #Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
paper · doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[739:tgcatn]2.0.co;2
openalex publication_date 1970/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
Research Article| March 01, 1970 The Geotectonic Cycle and the New Global Tectonics PETER J CONEY PETER J CONEY Department of Geology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information PETER J CONEY Department of Geology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 28 Aug 1969 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1970, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1970) 81 (3): 739–748. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[739:TGCATN]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 28 Aug 1969 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation PETER J CONEY; The Geotectonic Cycle and the New Global Tectonics. GSA Bulletin 1970;; 81 (3): 739–748. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[739:TGCATN]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A fundamental abstraction in earth science has been the concept of a geotectonic cycle. It has gone hand-in-hand with various classifications of tectonic elements and has been intricately interwoven in geosynclinal theory. The basic scheme which has emerged is a progressive and somewhat deterministic sequence of events in space and time made up of three phases usually termed the geosynclinal phase, the tectogenic phase, and the orogenic phase. The geotectonic cycle has been equated with evolution of mountain systems and long considered a prime process in continental evolution.The geotectonic cycle is examined in light of recent developments, including geosynclinal theory, studies in tectogenesis, and advances in submarine geology and geophysics. It is concluded that the concept of a geotectonic cycle is obsolete as a model of mountain system evolution, since definition of each of the so-called phases is obscure, relationship of any one phase to another is in doubt, and there is considerable evidence that the entire cycle can not be attributed to any single internal deterministic mechanism. Instead, the concept of multiple origins for mountain systems is suggested. Mountain complexes result from irregular successions of tectonic responses due to sea-floor spreading, shifting lithosphere plates, transform faults, and colliding, coupled, and uncoupled continental margins. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.