Abstract
IT is important to note that if, during an expansion of the Earth, each point on the surface were to move radially outward, then all sampling areas would have the same relative geographical co-ordinates before and after expansion. Palæomagnetic results could not be used to detect an expansion of this type. However, an alternative model of expansion is that in which most or all of the increase in area is reflected by an increase in the area of the ocean basins. We considered Prof. Carey's model of Earth expansion to be of this general type, since he concludes1 that the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean basins formed by dilatation attendant on expansion. If the ocean basins formed in this way, the method we used would show an increase in the Earth's radius, even if the continents had also grown a lesser amount.
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References
Carey, S. W., C.R. III Cong. Assoc. Sci. des Pays de l'Océan Indien, Sect. C, 171 (1957).
Carey, S. W., Continental Drift: a Symposium, Fig. 10 (Univ. Tasmania, 1958).
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COX, A., DOELL, R. Palæomagnetic Evidence relevant to a Change in the Earth's Radius. Nature 190, 36–37 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/190036b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/190036b0
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