The role of continental rifting in renewing the Wilson cycle during the evolution of plate tectonics. (IMAGE)

Science China Press

The role of continental rifting in renewing the Wilson cycle during the evolution of plate tectonics.

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Active rifting of continental lithosphere is caused by asthenospheric upwelling subsequent to lithospheric thinning along fossil suture zones. Whereas continental breakup is the successful modal rift, continental rifting without breakup is the failed rift which can be either modal or cryptic in the form of surface expression.

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