New Concept for the Origin of Fjords and Submarine Canyons: Consequence of Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics
J. Marvin Herndon *
Transdyne Corporation, 11044 Red Rock Drive, San Diego, CA 92131, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fjords occur in different parts of the world suggesting a common origin. Although being the subject of debate for more than a century, a common origin has not yet been disclosed; the relative importance of glaciation is still controversial. Here I propose that the primary origin of fjords, like submarine canyons, occur as a consequence of decompression-driven Earth surface curvature changes, and suggest that glaciation, rather than being the primary agent of fjord formation, as widely assumed, instead is the principal agent of fjord preservation.
Keywords: Mantle convection, whole-earth decompression dynamics, fjords, submarine canyons