Synergetics in Geology

Synergetics as the general theory of self-organization, embraces a large class of natural phenomena and is not limited by the thermodynamic condition. The thermodynamic structure and thermal chaos are only one of the forms of polarity of existence. The structural self-organization proceeds in such a way that numerous fluctuations are formed at the beginning. Amplitudes of long-range correlations, which are small at first, increase when the system moves far away from the equilibrium. As a result, a single fluctuation, which embraces the entire system, emerges from a multitude of fluctuations. This thesis of synergetics describes the inorganic world by a completely different perspective. All classes of inorganic bodies, including geological ones, should be considered as mutants and products of the selection of mutants that have been realized in accordance with the Darwinian logical scheme. Nature is quite often but not always expressed in fractal forms, which is divided into the ‘correct’ and 'incorrect' ones. Example of correct fractal is crystalline lattices with their different-scale repeatability of elementary cell. Our planet is a natural fractal formation of the class incorrect fractals. Considering the subordination as a law of fraction structure, it is necessary to assume that lithosphere in both large and small configurations is also a fractal structure. Logically, the entire geological reality should represent a fractal product of synergetic self-organization of inorganic matter. The Earth represents a multistage convective system like the Benard's convective structure, in which convection at one level initiates convection at the next overlying level. The principle of structure-forming convection is manifested in both large and small scales. It constitutes, for example, the base of the theory of fluidization during the formation of mineral deposits that also includes other principles of synergetics. According to this theory, subsidence of sedimentary rocks is accompanied by the formation of fluid-saturated zones of dilatation. Fluids are represented by water-hydrocarbon components in the upper part and by water-carbonate and ore components in the lower part of the sedimentary section. Under the influence of increase in temperature with depth, the fluids are heated and the intraformation pressure is anomalously increased. Consequently, the heated fluids penetrate the higher levels of the section. The ascending fluids, which represent powerful heat carriers, realize the convective mechanism of significant additional heating of overlying sedimentary rocks and sharply accelerate their katagenetic transformation.