MAJOR STAGES OF RIFTING EVOLUTION IN THE EARTH'S HISTORY

Abstract

Linear extensional rift and rift-like structures have been generated many times during various periods of the Earth's history since early times. These structures have varied with time, however, in scale, morphology, formations, paragenesis of tectonic features, regularity of distribution, and evolution. I distinguish and consider five major stages of rifting. They are: Katarchean-Archean, early Proterozoic, Late Proterozoic, Paleozoic, and Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Linear structures of the oldest stage combine features of development and structure similar to those typical of the rift and geosynclinal zones in the later periods of the Earth's history. At the second stage, proto-rift and proto-geosynclinal structures can be distinguished for the first time, though differences are not distinct. Paleo-rift zones of the third and fourth stages differ from geosynclinal belts and zones; their structural and genetic evolution, however, is related to the development of the latter. In contrast, the distribution and evolution of the rift zones and belts during the fifth stage are connected mainly with the destruction of the continents and formation of the “secondary” oceanic basins; they are complementary to the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geosynclinal orogenic belts. Periods of the greatest development of rift and rift-like structures (in the Archean, Riphean and Mesozoic-Cenozoic) probably correspond to the major phases of the Earth's expansion which can be distinguished in its general pulsating evolution.