The sequence of geological events and the dynamics of the Milky Way galaxy
Titel:
The sequence of geological events and the dynamics of the Milky Way galaxy
Auteur:
Steiner, Johann
Verschenen in:
Australian journal of earth sciences
Paginering:
Jaargang 14 (1967) nr. 1 pagina's 99-131
Jaar:
1967
Inhoud:
Present-day galactic data permit the construction of a galactic model in which the galactic gravitational field is described by a gravitational function rather than the Newtonian gravitational “constant” G. The concept of this empirical gravitational function, which is based on galactic orbital velocity data, envisages G as a function of time and space. In this model the interaction of this gravitational function, which has rotational symmetry in the galactic plane, and the slightly elliptical galactic orbit of the solar system results in a systematic variation of G. This interaction specifies a simple galactic time-scale which can be conveniently compared with events of the geological time-scale. For reasons of galactic evolution and modifying effects due to suspected changes of mass distributions in the universe with the passage of time, which are classed here under the Dirac-Jordan Effect, such a comparison is initially restricted to the past 1#fr1/4> cosmic years, or 350 million years. The problems in extending such a comparison to 8 cosmic years are discussed, and such an extension seems promising, but it is hampered by the paucity of geological and geophysical data from the lower Palaeozoic and the Precambrian and the present uncertainties in regard to galactic evolution. “Worldwide” statistical maxima and minima of the following geological criteria disclose an episodic correlation with the variation of G and the rates of change of G during the past 350 million years, as specified by this galactic model. It is possible to interpret this correlation in terms of accepted geological principles and concepts in most cases. The following geological phenomena are considered in this comparison of the galactic and geological time-scales for the past 350 million years. Period boundaries of the stratigraphic system Orogenic intrusions as dated by radiometric means Periods of mountain building as dated by stratigraphic means Palaeoclimatic criteria including ice ages Major marine transgressions and regressions Major red bed sequences Geosynclinal rate of sedimentation and subsidence Coal and petroleum occurrence Apparent discontinuities of biological evolution Palaeomagnetic criteria Clustering of cosmic-ray exposure ages of meteorites. On the strength of the multiplicity of geological phenomena used in this comparison it is suggested that the physical causes of these phenomena are a direct result of the dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy and, by way of the Dirac-Jordan Effect, of the evolution of the Universe. This study strongly suggests that the assumption that the gravitational “constant” is universal and constant in time (which was necessary 280 years ago) should be considered untenable today, and deserves re-examination in the light of geological phenomena and a galactic model such as the one discussed herein.
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