Thexar-VIII: The-Xar-Ak — Sha-El 08: Thar-Vokh Ak-El — Geological Map
"Stones remember what water has forgotten. The layers are the pages of a book written long before us. To read them is to know where we came from." — Guild of Geologists, +2,500 Y.E.
Ruun-ak rass: → rhu [Thexar-I, Ruun 12, "Geological Evolution"]; → rhu [Thexar-I, Ruun 13, "Continents"]; → rhu [Thexar-VIII, Sha-El 10, "Resource Map"]; → rhu [Thexar-I, Ruun 27, "Geodesy"]. Mor-ven: The geological map of Théxar records the long geological history across 10 lithospheric plates (four continental, five oceanic and one mixed). Kharak preserves the ancient craton, Rhuval hosts active volcanism, Vexar bears alkaline REE massifs, while the Thalas ridge spreads and the Thash Trench reaches 9,847 m.
08.1 Tectonic Plates
Théxar has 10 lithospheric plates, of which four are continental, five oceanic and one mixed.
| Plate | Area (million mo²) | Speed (pa/cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| Kharak | 1.8 | 2.4 |
| Rhuval | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Vexar | 0.9 | 1.7 |
| Thalas | 2.0 | 3.7 |
| Gharra | 1.9 | 3.3 |
| Koss | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| Irkhen | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| Serrin | 0.3 | 0.9 |
| Thel | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| Polar | 0.3 | 1.2 |
Plate boundaries:
- Divergent (rifts): Thalas mid-ocean ridge, Gharra rift
- Convergent (subduction): eastern Rhuval, western Vexar
- Transform: Khar-Tor fault
08.2 Geological Provinces of Kharak
08.2.1 Kharak Craton
Ancient continental core, 5.5 billion cycles old.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Granites, gneisses, greenstone belts |
| Tectonic activity | Low |
08.2.2 Khar-Tor Ridge
Mountain chain along the western coast, formed by Thalas plate subduction.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 976 mo |
| Width | 122–244 mo |
| Highest point | Mt. Verksan (9,537 sha) |
| Age | 2.5 billion cycles |
08.2.3 Central Plain
Sedimentary basin filled with alluvial deposits.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sediment thickness | Up to 4.9 mo |
| Age | 500 million cycles |
08.2.4 Shan Desert
Southeast plateau in the rain shadow of Khar-Tor.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 610–1,220 sha |
| Type | Stony desert (hamada) |
08.3 Geological Provinces of Rhuval
08.3.1 Raal Plateau
Central highlands formed by mafic intrusions.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 1,463–3,415 sha |
| Composition | Layered mafic intrusions |
| Resources | Pt, Cr, Mn |
08.3.2 Irkhen Chain
Volcanic ridge along the northern coast.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 488 mo |
| Number of volcanoes | 48 (12 active) |
| Highest point | Mt. Moraat (7,915 sha) |
| Last eruption | +3,890 Y.E. |
08.4 Geological Provinces of Vexar
08.4.1 Sharrus Chain
Central fold belt massif.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 366 mo |
| Highest point | Mt. Sharrus (7,451 sha) |
| Type | Fold belt |
08.4.2 Alkaline Massifs
Unique REE-bearing formations.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 1.8 billion cycles |
| Resources | La, Ce, Nd, Eu |
08.5 Oceanic Geology
08.5.1 Thalas Mid-Ocean Ridge
Spreading zone in the center of the Thalas Ocean.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 2,439 mo |
| Width | 122 mo |
| Spreading rate | 3.7 pa/cycle |
| Ridge-crest depth | 2,439 sha |
08.5.2 Thash Trench
Deepest point of Théxar, in the Gharra Ocean.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Depth | 9,847 m |
| Length | 366 mo |
| Width | 61 mo |
| Water temperature | 2.0°X |
08.6 Seismic Map
Average annual earthquake counts by region:
| Region | M > 5.0 | M > 6.0 | M > 7.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khar-Tor Ridge | 12 | 2 | 0.2 |
| Irkhen Chain (Rhuval) | 18 | 4 | 0.5 |
| Thalas Rift | 25 | 8 | 1.0 |
| Kharak Craton | 2 | 0.1 | <0.01 |
| Vexar | 6 | 1 | 0.1 |
08.7 Geochronological Map
| Era | Age (billion cycles) | Rocks | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaotic | 6.50–6.00 | Primary basalts | Ubiquitous (deep) |
| Archean | 6.00–5.00 | Gneisses, granites | Continental cores |
| Prototectonic | 5.00–3.50 | Greenstone belts | Kharak, Rhuval |
| Rift | 3.50–2.00 | Sedimentary basins | All continents |
| Biogeological | 2.00–0.58 | Limestones, coals | Coasts |
| Modern | 0.58–present | Alluvium, glacial | Plains, poles |
Ruun Ven
- Théxar comprises 10 lithospheric plates — 3 continental (Kharak, Rhuval, Vexar) and 7 oceanic/mixed/polar.
- Kharak preserves the oldest craton at 5.5 billion cycles; Rhuval remains volcanically active with 48 Irkhen volcanoes (12 active).
- Khar-Tor subduction lifts Mt. Verksan to 9,537 sha; Sharrus and Moraat mark Vexar and Rhuval highs.
- The Thash Trench in the Gharra Ocean plunges to 9,847 m — the planet's deepest point.
- Seismicity concentrates on plate boundaries: Thalas Rift leads with 25 M>5 events/cycle; Kharak Craton is quietest.
- Six geochronological eras describe the sequence, from Chaotic basalts to Modern alluvium.