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7 - Next-generation plate-tectonic reconstructions using GPlates
- from Part II - Modeling software and community codes
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- By James A. Boyden, University of Sydney, R. Dietmar Müller, University of Sydney, Michael Gurnis, California Institute of Technology, Trond H. Torsvik, University of Oslo, James A. Clark, University of Sydney, Mark Turner, California Institute of Technology, Hamish Ivey-Law, Université de la Méditerannée Aix-Marseille II, Robin J. Watson, Norwegian Geological Survey, John S. Cannon, University of Sydney
- Edited by G. Randy Keller, University of Oklahoma, Chaitanya Baru, University of California, San Diego
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- Book:
- Geoinformatics
- Published online:
- 25 October 2011
- Print publication:
- 19 May 2011, pp 95-114
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- Chapter
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Summary
Introduction
Plate tectonics is the kinematic theory that describes the large-scale motions and events of the outermost shell of the solid Earth in terms of the relative motions and interactions of large, rigid, interlocking fragments of lithosphere called tectonic plates. Plates form and disappear incrementally over time as a result of tectonic processes. There are currently about a dozen major plates on the surface of the Earth, and many minor ones. The present-day configuration of tectonic plates is illustrated inFigure 7.1. As the interlocking plates move relative to each other, they interact at plate boundaries, where adjacent plates collide, diverge, or slide past each other. The interactions of plates result in a variety of observable surface phenomena, including the occurrence of earthquakes and the formation of large-scale surface features such as mountains, sedimentary basins, volcanoes, island arcs, and deep ocean trenches. In turn, the appearance of these phenomena and surface features indicates the location of plate boundaries. For a detailed review of the theory of plate tectonics, consult Wessel and Müller (2007).
A plate-tectonic reconstruction is the calculation of positions and orientations of tectonic plates at an instant in the history of the Earth. The visualization of reconstructions is a valuable tool for understanding the evolution of the systems and processes of the Earth's surface and near subsurface. Geological and geophysical features may be “embedded” in the simulated plates, to be reconstructed along with the plates, enabling a researcher to trace the motions of these features through time.