Nexus - 0803 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

traditional distributions and migration routes were often disrupted, enabling species endemic to the various regions to interact, extend their boundaries, fragment or become extinct with time. The timing of ocean development in many of these areas is reflected in changes in sea level, facilitating faunal migration by extending and expanding migration routes and moderating climatic differences. Coal distribution during the Early to Late Cretaceous period shows two broad temperate belts located north and south of the established palaeoequator, with a predominance of deposits locat- ed in the northern hemisphere. On an expanding Earth, this shift in coal deposition is reflected in the rapid opening of each of the modern oceans and a northward migration of continents during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The predominance of coal deposits in the northern hemisphere is attributed to the greater extent of landmass influencing rainfall and to the extent of conti- nental basins suitable for coal formation. PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY extent of landmass influencing rainfall and to the extent of conti- The ancient climate on an expanding Earth is determined by nental basins suitable for coal formation. plotting the distribution of climate-dependent rocks and compar- ing the distribution patterns with the location of ancient poles and FACT OR MERE COINCIDENCE? equators. Coal swamps, thick sandstone sequences and glacial Expanding Earth models created with the use of oceanic rocks are excellent indicators of wet climates, while dry climates geology data demonstrate that crustal plates fit together at a are indicated by evaporites such as salt deposits and equatorial reduced Earth radius with a better than 99% fit. So, during the regions by coal and limestone rocks. Triassic period each of the continents is reassembled like a The glacial record shows four major spherical jig-saw puzzle, and continental glacial eras, including the Early Proterozoic, sedimentary basins form a global network the Late Proterozoic, the Early and Late representing shallow continental seas. By Palaeozoic and the Late Cenozoic (recent ice progressively removing sediments from the age). The distribution of glacial deposits on sedimentary basins and restoring to a pre- an expanding Earth is coincident in all cases extension configuration, each of the ancient with the location of magnetic poles estab- . continental crustal fragments can be lished from palaeomagnetic data. When palaeomagnetic assembled on a primordial Earth at an The distribution of many Precambrian data is plotted on ancient radius of 1,700 kilometres. marine glacial deposits occurs in conjunction . When palaeomagnetic data is plotted on ith limestone and iron-rich rocks located at expanding Earth models, expanding Earth models, diametrically the equator. This is an enigma for plate tec- diametrically opposed opposed north and south poles can be estab- tonic reconstructions. On an expanding lished. This is impossible to achieve with Earth, the relatively short pole-to-equator dis- north and south poles plate tectonics. The ancient equators estab- lanes esting during ths ime alow’ aa gan be established. ggg "ste fom th poly one wth ch regions within the network of shallow This Is impossible to glacial rocks, limestone and coal and seas, depositing rock debris on the sea- achieve with plate latitude-dependant faunal and floral tectonics. floor as the ice melts. species. Each climatic distribution The distribution of Early and Late shows a consistent northward shift in Palaeozoic glacial deposits coincides climate zones, suggesting an inclined with a south pole located in western rotational axis. central Africa, with isolated mountain- Fauna and flora demonstrate a sim- ous ice-centres in Europe, Australia and plified distribution pattern consistent South America. A northward shift in with climate zoning and distribution of climate zonation and absence of a dis- continental seas. Disruption of species tinct north polar ice-cap is a prominent and extinction events coincide with feature of glacial, limestone and coal break-up of continents, opening of distributions during this era. The northward shift in climatic modern oceans, change in climate and rapid change in sea level. zonation suggests that an inclined Earth rotational axis was wel Distribution and preservation of oil, gas and coal resources coin- established by the beginning of the Palaeozoic era and has cides with rapid floral development, changes in sea level and dis- remained at a similar inclination to the present. persal of continents. All of these cannot be mere coincidence. The distribution of oil and gas resources during the Palaeozoic, Each in itself is definitive proof that the Earth is expanding, and, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras coincides with the development of collectively they quantify a simple process of progressive crustal major sedimentary basins located within the continents and along extension prior to continental rupture, break-up and dispersal to continental margins. A broad zonation of deposits is evident on _ the present. oo an expanding Earth, straddling the established palaeoequator and extending from low-southern to mid-northern latitudes. This About the Author: broad zonation suggests a northward shift in climatic zonation an James Maxlow is a geologist with over 25 years' field exploration/min- coincides with observations from glacial distributions. ing experience. He has a Master's degree in geology and is currently When viewed in context with global and continental sea-level completing a PhD in geology. He is principal researcher with Terrella changes, oil and gas development coincides with periods where Consultants, a Western Australian-based geological consultancy dedi- sea-level was rising and encroaching onto the continents. The cated to research into and promotion of Global Expansion Tectonics. early Cretaceous period in particular coincides with a period of | The consultancy values and encourages professional input from a post-Permian glacial melting, a rapid opening of the modern worldwide network of Earth expansion researchers. For further informa- tion and/or input, e-mail the author at jmaxlow@enternet.com.au or oceans, warming climatic conditions and a rapid diversification of ae . we visit his website, www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/6520/. fauna and flora. This is impossible to achieve with plate nen Soe tectonics. About the Author: James Maxlow is a geologist with over 25 years' field exploration/min- ing experience. He has a Master's degree in geology and is currently completing a PhD in geology. He is principal researcher with Terrella Consultants, a Western Australian-based geological consultancy dedi- cated to research into and promotion of Global Expansion Tectonics. The consultancy values and encourages professional input from a worldwide network of Earth expansion researchers. For further informa- tion and/or input, e-mail the author at jmaxlow@enternet.com.au or visit his website, www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/6520/. APRIL — MAY 2001 NEXUS +57 www.nexusmagazine.com