Numerical modelling of the paleotidal evolution of the Earth-Moon System

Abstract

The results of a numerical simulation of the tidal evolution of the Earth-Moon system during the Phanerozoic epoch (the last 600 million years) are given. In most of the researches devoted to the solution of the problem the authors simplified and parametrized very complicated tidal phenomena to a primitive integral hump on the Earth's surface. As distinct from these the numerical model of the ocean tides in its most complete form is the core of the present study: the problem is solved for a viscous liquid in a paleoocean with variable outlines and depth allocations stimulated by the drift of the lithospheric platforms; the global interaction between the ocean and earth tides and the fluctuations of the gravitational field of the planet caused by them are taken into account. The astronomical component of the model is simplified. It is assumed that the Earth-Moon system is isolated, the Moon's orbit circular and the moment of inertia of the Earth constant during the Phanerozoic epoch. It is shown that the evolution of the Earth-Moon system during the Phanerozoic was nonuniform and that the primary role in this process belongs to the geodynamic factor.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html