It is becoming clear that Wilson Cycle processes including rifting, drifting, inversion, and orogenesis are more complex than standard models suggest. Observations and models showcase the significance of inherited geological structures, lithospheric rheology, time-dependence, surface processes, magmatism, obliquity, and geometry in processes of rifting, drifting, accretion, collision and orogeny. However, our understanding of the role and interaction of these factors remains far from complete. Unexpected observations such as continental material far offshore (e.g. Rio Grande Rise), wide-magmatic rifted margins (e.g. Laxmi Basin), extensive subsidence and sedimentation during rift-basin inversion (e.g. Pannonian basin), and thermal imprinting from continental rifting affecting subsequent orogenesis (e.g. Pyrenees) continue to challenge conventional models and exemplify the need for further work on Wilson Cycle processes.

This session will bring together new observations, models, and ideas to help understand the complex factors influencing the Wilson Cycle. Works investigating time-dependence, inheritance, plate kinematics, strain localization, magmatism, obliquity, interior plate deformation, driving forces, sedimentation, surface processes, lithospheric/crustal structure, and the interaction/feedback between processes controlling the Wilson Cycle are therefore welcomed to this session.

Contributions from any geoscience discipline, including but not limited to geophysics, marine geosciences, seismology, ocean drilling, geochemistry, petrology, plate kinematics, tectonics, sedimentology, field and structural geology, numerical and analogue modelling, or thermo/geochronology etc., are sought. We particularly encourage cross-disciplinary, innovative, thought-provoking, and convention challenging studies spanning different spatio-temporal scales. Contributions are welcomed from all researchers of any background, and of course especially students.