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Robaudo and Harrison in fact "expected that most VLBI stations By using the published oceanic and continental geological map- will have up-down motions of only a few mm/yr" and recom- ping shown in the Geological Map of the World (CGMW & mended that the vertical motion be "restricted to zero, because UNESCO,1990), the process of Earth expansion from the this is closer to the true situation than an average motion of 18 Archaean aeon to the present can now be accurately constrained. mm/yr" (Robaudo & Harrison, 1993, p. 54). This recommenda- This in itself quantifies Earth expansion. By creating models tion is now reflected in current solutions to the global network from this mapping, the expansion process can be readily visu- where global solutions are effectively constrained to zero. alised throughout Earth history. The ancient Earth was shown to The recommendations of Robaudo and Harrison are justified undergo a steady expansion throughout the Archaean and from a plate tectonic perspective. Proterozoic, prior to a rapidly acceler- The 18 mm/year excess was consid- ating expansion during the Palaeozoic ered to be an error in atmospheric . era, and continental break-up and dis- correction, so was simply adjusted In order to accept Global Expansion persal during the Mesozoic and accordingly. What must be appreci- Tectonics as a viable global tectonic Cenozoic eras iH me Present. veal and ated is that without an acknowledg- eadily available geophysical an ment of a potential increase in Earth process, we must be prepared, geological data plotted on each of the radius, NASA had no option but to | however, to remove the "blinkers Of ff models demonstrates that the ancient correct this value to zero and hence dogma" 50 prevalent in our learned equator, determined from the ancient adopt a static Earth radius premise. sees as . pole positions, agrees in principle From an expanding Earth point of institutions, in order to encourage with plate tectonic locations using view, owever, te 1S gnm/year active research into alternatives palacomagnetic and climatic fata. excess equates wi e 22 mm/year ni ncient polar ice-caps, limestone required for Earth expansion, deter- to accepted global tectonics. reefs, coal deposits, vegetation pat- mined from measurements of areas terns, and marine and terrestrial life- of sea-floor spreading. forms all coincide with the ancient equator and pole positions throughout A VIABLE GLOBAL TECTONICS EXPLANATION Earth history. This coincidence is an impossibility on an Earth of While the cause of Earth expansion remains a speculative issue, constant radius. in time this will be resolved by dedicated research. The geophysi- This modern geological and geophysical data can now be used cal objections to Earth expansion outlined above can only be to accurately quantify Earth expansion, making the evidence for resolved by an acceptance of the potential for expansion and ade- expansion very favourable. quate scientific resolution. The only limitations to Earth expan- In order to accept Global Expansion Tectonics as a viable glob- sion relate to limitations in technical ability to display global- al tectonic process, we must be prepared, however, to remove the scale geological and geophysical information in an interactive 4-D "blinkers of dogma" so prevalent in our learned institutions, in spherical format, and I am sure there are wise and wonderful peo- order to encourage active research into alternatives to accepted ple out there who are more than capable of doing that. global tectonics. oo A VIABLE GLOBAL TECTONICS EXPLANATION While the cause of Earth expansion remains a speculative issue, in time this will be resolved by dedicated research. The geophysi- cal objections to Earth expansion outlined above can only be resolved by an acceptance of the potential for expansion and ade- quate scientific resolution. The only limitations to Earth expan- sion relate to limitations in technical ability to display global- scale geological and geophysical information in an interactive 4-D spherical format, and I am sure there are wise and wonderful peo- ple out there who are more than capable of doing that. References Koziar, J. (1980), "Ekspansja den ocean- Expanding Earth Symposium, Sydney, = Carey, S.W. (1956), "The tectonic icznych | jej zwiazek z hipotaza ekspansji 1981, University of Tasmania, 1983, pp. approach to continental drift", in Ziemi", Sprawozdania Wroclawskiego 17-27. Continental Drift, A Symposium, Towarzystwa Naukowego 35B:13-19. = Vogel, K., "The expansion of the Earth — University of Tasmania, Hobart, pp. 177- » Maxlow (1995), "Global Expansion an alternative model to the plate tectonics 355. Tectonics: the geological implications of _ theory", in Critical Aspects of the Plate Carey, S.W., The Expanding Earth, an expanding Earth", unpublished thesis, Tectonics Theory; Volume Il, Alternative Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1976 (488pp.). Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Theories, Theophrastus Publishers, = Carey, S.W., Theories of the Earth and Western Australia (268pp.). Athens, Greece, 1990, pp. 14-34. Universe: A History of Dogma in the = Owen, H.G., "Has the Earth increased . Earth Sciences, Stanford University Press, _ in size?", in S. Chatterjee and N. Hotton |! About the Author: a. Stanford, California, 1988. (eds), New Concepts in Global Tectonics, James Maxlow Isa geologist with Over 25 = Carey, S.W., Earth, Universe, Cosmos, Texas Technical University Press, USA, (feta fei exploration/mining Gee Nga University of Tasmania, Hobart, 1996 1992, pp. 289-296. ales asters ae wr geotoay ane is (204pp.). oliteleetsta, &. etn ernie, Cea He is. rincipal researcher with Terrella = CGMW and UNESCO, Geological Map _ 1993, "Plate tectonics from SLR and VLBI C p P . C ; aor ‘an . onsultants, a Western Australian-based of the World, Commission for the global data", in D.E. Smith and D.L. Fi ; . . ~ . geological consultancy dedicated to Geological Map of the World, Paris, Turcotte (eds), Contributions of Space research into and promotion of Global 1990. Geodesy to Geodynamics: Crustal : 0? " . y nam | Expansion Tectonics. The consultancy val- - Egyed, L. (1963), "The Expanding Dynamics, Geodynamics Series, ues and encourages professi ; q . . professional input from Earth?", Nature 197:1059-1060. American Geophysical Union, volume a worldwide network of Earth expansion + Hilgenberg, O.C., Vom wachsenden 23, 1993. researchers. Erdball, Selbstverlag, Berlin, 1933 (50pp.). + Van Hilten, D. (1963), "Palaeomagnetic For further information and/or input, + Hilgenberg, O.C. (1962), indications of an increase in the Earth's e-mail the author at jmaxlow@enternet. "Palaopollagen der Erde", Neues Jahrb. radius", Nature 200:1277-1279. com.au or visit his website, www.geoci- Geol. und Paléontol., Abhandl 116, = Vogel, K., "Global models and Earth ties.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/ Stuttgart. expansion", in S.W. Carey (ed.), 6520/. 46 - NEXUS to accepted global tectonics. OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2000