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Huge geological wall map of Asia, the Middle East, and the Maritime continent, published in Shanxi in 1982. The map is fantastic for its size, wealth of information, and decorative elements, and especially for the unusual and far-fetched theories it displays.
The map shows dozens of geological strata, with observations from throughout the continent. Major faults, folds, rift valleys, and subduction zones are shown. An inset in the upper right shows the different plates active in the region. A history of magnetic anomalies is given. Related to this are the noted "absolute motions" of plates, which is an oxymoron as all plate motion is relative.
Two particular features of the map stand out relative to current geological knowledge. The first is the presence of purported "deep fractures" that run for thousands of miles and with fixed locations. The implications of this are uncertain - there does not appear to be any current counterpart to this in geological parlance. Instead, these appear to be an oversimplified explanation for the oftentimes complex boundaries between two different terranes.
The second discrepancy noted on this map is the large configuration of plates in the upper left of the map. This appears to be a misguided attempt to explain large-wavelength structures observed in the area. Plates are generally understood to be relatively rigid bodies that show little deformation and exist in a rigid form for extended periods of time - however, these "plates" are not particularly rigid and are bisected by a number of folds, faults, and other structures. As such, the description of these plates is likely misguided and an attempt to simplify the situation in an incorrect manner.
