What is the Wilson Cycle?

Wilson cycle definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Look it up now! read more

Wilson cycle The cyclical opening and closing of ocean basins caused by movement of the Earth's plates. The Wilson cycle begins with a rising plume of magma and the thinning of the overlying crust. read more

Wilson cycle The cyclical opening and closing of ocean basins caused by movement of the Earth’s plates. The Wilson cycle begins with a rising plume of magma and the thinning of the overlying crust. read more

Various stages have been identified for the Wilson cycle, and all of these stages can be recognised in different parts of the Earth today. The earliest stage, called the embryonic stage, involves uplift and crustal extension of continental areas with the formation of rift valleys (e.g. the East African Rift System). read more