🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <648@bath63.ux63.bath.ac.uk>, ma_jpb@bath63.ux63.bath.ac.uk (Bennett) writes:
> 
> There is a problem with tectonic plate theory and continental drift due to the
> conservation of energy. Consider the theory that the Himalayas are caused by
> the Indian plate hitting the Asiatic plate. A substantial amount of potential
> energy is generated in raising the Himalayas, which has presumably come from
> the kinetic energy of the Indian plate. Given we can work out the kinetic
> energy of the plate, we can calculate the height of the mountains this would
> raise if converted to potential energy with 100% efficiency. Although the
> Indian plate is large it moves exceedingly slowly (a few centimetres a year at
> most).  Calculation would suggest that within an order of magnitude the
> Himalayas should be one millimetre high.... 

True, but do we know the velocity of the Indian Plate 10 or
20 million years ago?  Remember that once most of the kinetic
energy of an object has been turned into potential energy, the
object tends to be moving slowly, in comparison.  Has anyone
investigated this line?

Doug Murphy
AT&T-Bell Laboratories
Liberty Corner, NJ
{lcuxlm!dmu}