- This 3rd edition of the Geological Map of the World follows the 1st (1990) and 2nd (2000) editions published by CGMW. Based on an entirely redesigned concept, it integrates the state of the art of the geological knowledge of our planet at the turning-point of the XX/XXI centuries.
For the first time, the map consists of two sheets:
- I- Physiography, volcanoes, astroblemes, displaying a complete image of the Earth's reliefs (including the ocean floor) with distribution of 1507 active volcanoes and 198 meteoritic impact craters (sorted in 2 categories of diameters); this sheets includes a legend and some remarquable features of the planet's morphology;
II- Geology, structure (centered on the Atlantic) showing:
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a cartography significantly improved, in particular as concerns: the limit between continental crust/oceanic crust; major continental faults and oceanic fracture zones; axes of oceanic accretion; subduction zones; sedimentary accretionary prisms, morphostructures of the seafloor (seamounts, hotspot tracks,…);
- several innovations such as: representation of the continental platform (< 200 m); subdivision of the Proterozoic in 3 eras; discrimination of "Large Igneous Provinces" (LIP) since the end of the Paleozoïc (continental traps, "oceanic plateaus") with indication of mean age of the major volcanic episode; representation of 45 "hotspots"; crustal deformation zones (diffuse boundary) between some plates; distribution of Meso-Cenozoic ophiolites, etc. This sheet includes two legends, one for the onshore zones and another for the offshore, and an inset with data on the 45 "hotspots".
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- Explanatory notes accompany the Map. To download the English version click here.
In conclusion, this 3rd edition of the map intends to give a better global overview of the mega-structures and the most important geological assemblages resulting from the complex history of our planet throughout 4 billion years.
ERRATUM
: Applies only to the map at the scale of 1 : 50 000 000
An incident occurred in the graphical treatment which inverted the direction of the triangles of the thrust front and of the facing incipient subduction, between the north of Flores and Australia. The rectification is given in the back cover of the Explanatory Notes.
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