Intracontinental Tectonics and Orogeny

The theory of plate tectonics has developed over the past 50 years, and geologists have long regarded it as the dominant model for global tectonic processes. However, it still fails to fully explain continental tectonics and deformation. What, then, constitutes global tectonics? And how does intracontinental tectonics differ in terms of features and governing natural laws? This book aims to introduce and clarify these concepts. The relationship between plate tectonics and intracontinental tectonics is thoroughly explored, highlighting the complexities of the latter. Additionally, intracontinental orogeny is classified according to different tectonic settings and evolutionary characteristics across the globe. Various mantle flow patterns are examined, leading to the clear proposition that global tectonics can be defined as the combination of transcontinental tectonics, plate tectonics, and intracontinental tectonics. This book is intended not only as a university-level textbook but also as a resource for geoscientists across multiple disciplines.