When it becomes painfully obvious that old and supposedly proven theories no longer adequately explain modern data, observations, and research, it is often difficult for scientists and the public to let go of them. For example, the flat earth theory or the geologic theory that continents float on ocean magma layers like fishing bobbers. Utilizing all the then available data and the advice of experts these theories were accepted as gospel. They were called “consensus” theories.
Given time and new data, it becomes obvious that something was wrong with these theories. Experts were finding it increasingly difficult to force-fit new data and observations into them. Eventually, new and better theories replaced the old ones.
The process of letting go was not as clean and simple as you might imagine. In fact, during these transitional times it was confusing and a bit unsettling for everyone. Scientists argued, politicians took strong stances, and the public was torn between siding with old comfortable theories or taking a chance on new theories from non-establishment scientists.
We now accept as fact that the earth is round and that continents drift sideways in a theory called Continental Drift. Reflecting back on these events it’s easy to pass judgment on those crazy people. Why didn’t they see the obvious truth?
As Dr. Michael Crichton said in one of his many speeches, “Probably every schoolchild notices that South America and Africa seem to fit together rather snugly, and Alfred Wegener proposed, in 1912, that the continents had in fact drifted apart. The consensus sneered at continental drift for fifty years. The theory was most vigorously denied by the great names of geology-until 1961, when it began to seem as if the sea floors were spreading. The result: it took the consensus fifty years to acknowledge what any schoolchild sees.”
Surely that type of situation could never happen again. After all, this is the ultimate age of science and knowledge. We have high-speed computers, a global Internet, and brilliant young science experts making their marks. Because of all this it would seem very unlikely that any modern, well-accepted theory could be incorrect, especially a consensus theory like global warming.
Well, the global warming theory is incorrect. Here is a brief summary that supports this contention.
First, It’s d√©j√† vu all over again: new data and observations don’t fit into the global warming theory, scientists are arguing, politicians are engaging in McCarthyistic behavior, and the public is confused. In the midst of this chaos a new and very plausible alternative theory has emerged as a strong candidate to replace atmospheric-based man-made global warming.
That theory is Plate Climatology.
This new theory contends that variations in the sun’s energy pulses is clearly the primary driver of earth’s climate, however, another heretofore under-appreciated force contributes greatly to modifying earth’s climate.
The Plate Climatology Theory can be summarized as follows. Periods of active Earth tectonics and volcanism can be correlated to periods of active climate change and climate related events. In general, increased tectonic activity, either locally or globally, equates to more faulting and volcanic activity which leads to more heat and chemically charged fluid release from these active geological features into both the oceans and atmosphere.
Altered heat and chemically charged fluid input equates to climate change.
This effect has been largely hidden from scientific investigation because the primary heat and chemically charged fluid release is from two under-explored / under-monitored regions.
First, Earth’s Deep Oceans contain major geological features such as: rift systems (tectonic plate pull-apart boundaries), traverse fault systems (tectonic plate side sliding boundaries), subduction zones (tectonic plate converging boundaries), and high heat flow volcanic regions. The associated heat and chemically charged fluid release from these geological features acts to alter ocean temperatures, densities, and chemical compositions. The “altered oceans” then influence or drive climate changes and climate-related events.
Secondly, Earth’s Polar ice cap contains major geological features such as: rift systems (tectonic plate pull-apart boundaries), traverse fault systems (tectonic plate side sliding boundaries), and high heat flow volcanic regions. The associated heat and fluid release from these geological features acts to alter sub-ice sheet temperatures. The altered sub-glacial ice sheets then influence or drive climate changes and climate-related events.
It just makes common sense that if major geological phenomenon have the power to move continents 2-3 centimeters per year, frequently create large tsunamis that mix thousands of feet of ocean column, pulse massive super-heated sea water plumes, support vast chemosynthetic communities, and contain 90 percent of the planets known active volcanoes they can certainly and easily influence our climate in a dramatic fashion.
Please consider taking a few moments out of your busy life and refer to previous Climate Change Dispatch Plate Climatology related articles. These articles will give you solid science-based explanations to many observed natural variations in climate: El Ni√±o’s, West Antarctic glacial melting, Arctic glacial melting and recovery, ocean current disruptions like the Gulf Stream shutdown of 2010, and natural CO2 / methane emissions to name a few.
No yelling, no screaming, no demeaning, no politics, no computer models…just explanations. It’s time to consider getting out of our “consensus” comfort zone and investigate a new theory from a non-establishment geologist.
James Edward Kamis is a Geologist and AAPG member of 40 years and has always been fascinated by the connection between Geology and Climate. Years of research / observation have convinced him that the Earth’s Heat Flow Engine, which drives the outer crustal plates, is also an important driver of the Earth’s climate. He is the author of numerous articles that can be found on this site.
