Teaching Earth Dynamics: What's Wrong with Plate Tectonics Theory?

TL;DR

This paper critiques the standard plate tectonics theory, reviews alternative geodynamic ideas, and introduces a new Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics Theory that aims to unify previous theories and promote scientific questioning.

Contribution

It presents a new unifying theory, Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics, challenging mainstream views and encouraging critical thinking about geodynamics in education.

Findings

Identifies issues with plate tectonics theory

Reviews Earth expansion theory shortcomings

Proposes a unified Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics Theory

Abstract

Textbooks frequently extol plate tectonics theory without questioning what might be wrong with the theory or without discussing a competitive theory. How can students be taught to challenge popular ideas when they are only presented a one-sided view? In just a few pages, I describe more than a century of geodynamic ideas. I review what is wrong with plate tectonics theory and with Earth expansion theory, and describe my new Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics Theory, which unifies the two previous dominant theories in a self- consistent manner. Along the way, I disclose details of what real science is all about, details all too often absent in textbooks and classroom discussions. In these few pages, I only touch on highlights and just part the curtain a bit so that teachers might glimpse ways to bring to their students some of the richness and excitement of discovery that becomes evident when one begins to question prevailing, currently popular perceptions of our world.