The gyroscopic Earth and its role in supercontinent and metallogenic cycles

The periods of gyroscopic rebalancing correspond to the reassembly of the supercontinents at 2.7-2.5 Ga (Kenorland), 2.0-0.75 Ga (Columbia and its modification into Rodinia), and 0.32-0.18 Ga (Pangaea). The main reassembly mechanism, in addition to rifting, spreading and collision, is large-scale strike-slip translation of not only relatively small lithotectonic terranes, but also of major cratons. These cycles govern changes from the dominantly extension- to collision- and plume-related mineral deposit types in the internal orogens in the continental hemisphere, whereas subduction-related to collision-related mineral deposit types remain persistent through the metallogenic cycles at the oceanic/continental hemisphere transition zone, just migrating oceanward in time.