Abstract
IN my article on the isotopic evolution of the Earth1 the presence of epicontinental seas at numerous times during the past 2 billion yr and the nearly constant thickness of Pre-Cambrian cratons throughout the world, regardless of age, were considered indicative of approximately constant ocean depth, and consequently constant ocean and continental crust volumes throughout geological time. No doubt the limitations imposed by this evidence are inexact and changes of the order of 10 per cent would be permissible, but it seems that the overall impression of constant volume is a permissible premise for discussions of changes in sea level.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Armstrong, R. L., Rev. Geophys., 6, 175 (1968).
Sloss, L. L., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 74, 93 (1963).
Egyed, L., Geofisica Pura e Applicata, 33, 42 (1956).
Grasty, R. L., Nature, 216, 779 (1967).
Hallam, A., Amer. J. Sci., 261, 397 (1963).
Russell, K. L., Nature, 218, 861 (1968).
Menard, H. W., and Smith, S. M., J. Geophys. Res., 71, 4305 (1966).
Hamilton, Warren, and Meyers, W. B., Rev. Geophys., 4, 509 (1966).
Dearnley, R., Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 7, 1 (1966).
Dietz, R. S., Amer. J. Sci., 265, 231 (1967).
Thiel, E. C., Amer. Geophys. Union Geophys. Mono., 7, 172 (1962).
Isacks, Bryan, Oliver, Jack, and Sykes, L. R., J. Geophys. Res., 73, 5855 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ARMSTRONG, R. Control of Sea Level relative to the Continents. Nature 221, 1042–1043 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/2211042a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2211042a0
This article is cited by
-
Late Phanerozoic extent of dry land
Nature (1981)
-
Secular changes in marine inundation of USSR and North America through the Phanerozoic
Nature (1977)
-
Turning points in Phanerozoic history
Nature (1977)
-
Origin of the Appalachian Faunal Province of the Devonian
Nature Physical Science (1972)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.