Vortical tectonics

It is shown that lithospheric plates in their movement on the Earth’s surface do not undergo typical rotations, as was previously believed, but rather movements of a more complicated type, namely vortical (or “whirl”). The specific character of vortical movements is reflective in various structural-tectonic phenomena at the global, regional, and local levels. The discovery of vortical movements and structures in solid geospheres is evidence of concepts of nonlinear, unstable geophysical medium. At the same time, due to the exceptional duration of the formation of vortices in these geospheres, completely closed, matured vortical structures are rarely formed. Examples of the evolution of backarc basins in the junction zone of the Pacific Ocean and Eurasia are considered; these are evidence that energy vortical movements are sufficient to influence vitally the geodynamics of junction zones. It is suggested that the complex of lithospheric structures, being the result of vortical movements, can be considered within the specially marked out vortical tectonics, which is the key element of the re-formed geodynamical paradigm.