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Dr. A.G.Ugarkar
Professor

GEODYNAMICS
INTRODUCTION
Geodynamics is the study of the broader structural features of the earth and their causes.
A branch of geology dealing with the broader architecture of the outer part of the earth, that is
the major structural or deformational features and their relations, origin, and historical evolution.
It is closely related to structural geology, but geodynamics generally deals with larger features.
Examination of rocks near the top of Mt. Everest reveals that they are sedimentary rocks
containing marine Jurassic ammonites. Such an observation leads us to conclude that the crust of
the earth is subjected to great uplift, say about 9 kms.
Compelling evidence can be determined to prove that the crust has exhibited, and in fact,
exhibits today, both vertical and lateral instability. The presence of marine strata thousands of
meters above mean sea level, and the great thickness of shallow-water sediments in some old
basins convince us that vertical movements have taken place.
Deep seated nearly vertical faults (ex. San Andreas) have undergone great lateral
displacements parallel to the strike of the fault. Folded mountain systems embodying intricate
folding and thrusts piling up crustal elements provide convincing evidence of strong lateral
compression. Thus a satisfactory system for generation of lithospheric stresses must allow large-
scale compression, extension and lateral displacement as well as vertical movements. One of the
most popular geodynamic theories or hypothesis was the Continental Drift theory established in
1912.
Although continental drift was first suggested in the 17
th
century, it did not receive
serious scientific investigation until the beginning of the 20
th
century. Wegner (1912) is usually
considered the first one to have formulated the theory precisely. In particular, he pointed out the
close match of opposite coastline of continents and the regional extent of the Permo-
Carboniferous glaciations in the Southern Hemisphere. DuToit (1937) was the first to propose an
accurate fit for the continents based on the geological evidence. Continental drift, however, did
not receive wide acceptance among geoscientists, and especially among Northern-Hemisphere
geoscientists, until the last four decades. The chief reasons, aptly summarized by McDonald
(1964), related to lack of an acceptable mechanism and to geophysical data that indicate that
continents have roots in the mantle and hence, could not be moved at the Moho, as was
commonly proposed. The breakthrough came in the early 1960s, when the seafloor spreading
theory became widely accepted. Seafloor spreading offers a mechanism for continents to drift
and yet retain their deep roots, by drifting at the base of the lithosphere, not at the Moho.
The character of the earths interior and the processes functioning there are of
fundamental importance in the origin and development of the structural features we can examine
directly at and near the surface. All modern tectonic theories involve at least the upper mantle
parts of the mantle, and it is in the mantle that we must seek the processes basically responsible
for continental drift, sea-floor spreading, plate tectonics and the origin of stress responsible for
the formation of mountains and the small-scale features associated with them.
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Dr. A.G.Ugarkar
Professor

Many of the most existing developments in the science during the last four decades have
occurred in the field of geodynamics. The emergence of sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics
during 1962 as an explanation for continental drift has captured the imagination of earth
scientists and has provided the most powerful unifying concept developed in reviewing the
origin and evolution of large scale structural features.
It is possible, using a variety of geological and geophysical data, to reconstruct the
positions of continents prior to their last break-up about 200 Ma ago. Matching of continental
borders, stratigraphic sections, and fossil assemblages are some of the earliest methods used to
reconstruct continental positions. Today in addition to these methods, we have polar wandering
paths, seafloor spreading directions, and hotspot traces.