The modern awareness that plasma composes most of the universe, requiring a reevaluation of theories dating from earlier times, was the thesis of Michael Steinbacher’s presentation. Plasma is electrically active and employs forces that can be many times stronger than those of mechanical erosion and tectonics. One possible model envisions the globe enveloped in plasma discharges within the memory of humans. Material from space and from electrical erosion of the surface was suddenly sorted and deposited electrically to a great depth. Dust, sand, gravel, rocks, boulders, coal, and oil accumulated wherever there was dry land. Red-hot dust blown by electrically generated tornado-like winds built up strata in place: “plastered” against obstructions in a manner similar to welded material. Flooding filled the valleys between the mountains with sediments. Where electrical activity was strong enough, the loose material was lithified and even metamorphosed. In Michael’s presentation, the four-corners region of the USA was used as an example.
