Wilson Cycle

The Wilson Cycle describes the process of continental rifting and subsequent ocean basin formation, followed by the eventual closing of that ocean and the collision of continents. It begins with the stretching of a continent, creating a rift and new ocean. Over millions of years, sediment accumulates, and tectonic plate movements can lead to subduction, where one plate dives under another. Finally, continents may collide, closing the ocean and forming mountain ranges. This cycle highlights the dynamic nature of Earth’s geology, illustrating how continents and oceans can open and close over geologic time.