Plate tectonics, 50 Years: the origins and the evolution of knowledge

The formulation of Plate Tectonics Theory in the 1970´s revolutionized Earth Sciences. For the first time, geologists explained and justified orogenic phenomena, considering the seismic-petrologic composition and the geodynamic behavior of Earth. The extraordinary expansion of these conceptions infl...

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Bibliographic Details
Author: Brito-Neves, Benjamin Bley de
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2020
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
Repository:Revista Terrae didatica (Online)
Language:Portuguese
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br:article/8660244
Online Access:https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/td/article/view/8660244
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Magmatic Arc
Mobilism
Fixism
Crustal types
Litosfera
Astenosfera
Arco magmático
Mobilismo
Fixismo
Tipos crustais
Description
Summary:The formulation of Plate Tectonics Theory in the 1970´s revolutionized Earth Sciences. For the first time, geologists explained and justified orogenic phenomena, considering the seismic-petrologic composition and the geodynamic behavior of Earth. The extraordinary expansion of these conceptions influenced all fields of Geosciences, becoming reference in textbooks and burying the “Geosynclinal theory”, “fixists ideas” etc. New scientific observations reinforced the original models. The paradigma of the Phanerozoic orogenic systems received many complements, some from the study of Precambrian terranes. Details of the interaction of plates over Geologic Time, anatomy of different orogenic belts, processes of fusion and fission of continents have revealed the irreversible evolution of the planet. After 50 years, Plate Tectonics is an innovative theory, scientifically enriched without losing essential roots. This article presents the most scientific facts and addenda, based on references and the author´s professional experience, as professor and field geologist.