Abstract
A GLOBAL, quadrupolar mechanical analysis of the energy stored in the Earth, based on the concept of a ‘reference elastic distortion’1,2, has shown that quadrupolar continental drift, and in particular the westerly polar motion could be understood as resulting from a yielding process which operates as a consequence of the elastic energy in the Earth.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Pines, D., and Shaham, J., Phys. Earth planet. Intarions, 6, 103 (1972).
Pines, D., and Shaham, J., Nature phys. Sci., 243, 122 (1973).
Runcorn, S. K., Continental drift, 145–194 (Academic Press, New York, 1962).
Prey, A., Abhandlunger der Koniglicher Gesellschaft der Wissenchaften zn Göttingen, Mathematisch—Physikalishche Klasse, neue Folge 11, 1 (1922).
Lederstege, K., Handbuch der Vermessungskunde, Band V (J. B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH in Stuttgart), 848–856 (1956/1969).
Balmino, G., Lambeck, K., and Kaula, W. M., J. geophys. Res., 78, 478 (1973).
Love, A. E. H., A treatise on the mathematical theory of elasticity, fourth ed. (Dover Publications, New York, 1944).
Munk, W. H., and MacDonald, G. J. F., The Rotation of the Earth, 15–37 (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
AU, CK., SHAHAM, J. Elastic energy and plate tectonics. Nature 250, 211–213 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250211a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/250211a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
