Wilson Cycle 😊

Question 1

What does the Wilson cycle show?

Answer 1

The cyclical opening and closing of ocean basins

Question 2

What causes the activity of a basin?

Answer 2

Movement of the earths plates

Question 3

Name the 6 stages of the cycle

Answer 3

1. Embryonic stage
2. Young stage
3. Mature stage
4. Terminal stage
5. Subduction stage
6. End stage

Question 4

What occurs in stage 1?

Answer 4

Uplifting and extension of continental areas to form raft valleys

Question 5

What occurs in stage 2?

Answer 5

The centre of the Rift Valley spreads and thin strips of ocean crust can be found between the rifted continental segments
This forms a narrow, parallel-sided sea

Question 6

What occurs in stage 3?

Answer 6

The basin widens and new oceanic crust is produced

Question 7

What occurs in stage 4?

Answer 7

Basin begins to contract as there is more subduction than formation of new crust. Island arcs may also collide to produce mountain ranges

Question 8

What occurs in stage 5?

Answer 8

Away from the ridge the oldest oceanic lithosphere sinks back into the asthenosphere.
Ocean trench is formed with a Wadati-Benioff zone

Question 9

What occurs at stage 6?

Answer 9

Occurs when all oceanic crust between the continental masses has subducted creating an active fold mountain belt