Abstract
When a thin sheet of material in which the thermal resistance is not symmetric about a central point floats on a heated viscous fluid, it is propelled by the induced convective motion. This mechanism is used as a basis for a model of continental migration.
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
Runcorn, S. K., Continental Drift (Academic Press, New York, 1964).
Blackett, P. M. S., Bullard, E. C., and Runcorn, S. K., Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., A, 258, 1 (1965).
Heirtzler, J. R., and Pitman, W. C., Science, 154, 1164 (1966).
Elder, J. W., in Amer. Geophys. Union Monograph No. 8, 211 (1965).
Elder, J. W., Bull. Volcan., 29, 32 (1966).
Chandrasekhar, S., Hydrodynamic Stability (Oxford University Press, 1961).
Elder, J. W., Mantles of the Earth and Terrestrial Planets (edit. by Runcorn, S. K.), 525 (1967).
Elder, J. W., J. Fluid Mech., 27, 609 (1967).
Beloussov, V. V., Science J., 3, 56 (1967).
Bott, M. H. P., Nature, 202, 583 (1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ELDER, J. Convective Self-propulsion of Continents. Nature 214, 657–660 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/214657a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/214657a0
This article is cited by
-
Mantle dynamics and the heat flow into the Earth's continents
Nature (1995)
-
Hotspots, polar wander, Mesozoic convection and the geoid
Nature (1982)
-
Lunar Continental Migration and Maria Spreading
Nature (1970)
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.
