Variation in tectonic style with time: Alpine and Archean systems.

Abstract

Geophysical modelling of Archean tectonics during times of higher heat production and heat loss than today predicts that plate-tectonic motions should have operated more rapidly in the Archean. The Archean geological record is still too poorly understood to accept or reject this prediction with confidence. Various features of Archean terrains are discussed. These features are difficult to interpret since there is still considerable controversey and uncertainty concerning their basic geological relationships. -from Author