Four-dimensional context of Earth's supercontinents

摘要: The supercontinent-cycle hypothesis attributes planetary-scale episodic tectonic events to an intrinsic self-organizing mode of mantle convection, governed by the buoyancy continental lithosphere that resists subduction during closure old ocean basins, and consequent reorganization convection cells leading opening new basins. Characteristic timescales cycle are typically 500–700 myr. Proposed spatial patterns cyclicity range from hemispheric (introversion) antipodal (extroversion), precisely between those end-members (orthoversion). Advances in our understanding can arise theoretical or numerical modelling, primary data acquisition relevant reconstructions, spatiotemporal correlations plate kinematics, geodynamic palaeoenvironmental history. palaeogeographic record supercontinental tectonics on Earth is still under development. contributions this special publication provide snap-shots time these investigations indicate Earth’s incorporates elements all three endmember patterns. Introduction: how do we recognize ancient