scholarly journals Dynamics of subduction and plate motion in laboratory experiments: Insights into the “plate tectonics” behavior of the Earth

2005 ◽  
Vol 110 (B1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bellahsen
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
The Earth

Application of stratigraphic frameworks and thermochronological data on the Mesozoic SW Gondwana intraplate environment to retrieve the Paraná-Etendeka plume movement.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Krob ◽  
Ulrich A. Glasmacher ◽  
Hans-Peter Bunge ◽  
Anke M. Friedrich ◽  
Peter C. Hackspacher
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Plume ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Convective Motion ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Stratigraphic Framework ◽  
Sw Gondwana ◽  
Event Based

<p>Since plate tectonics has been linked to material flow in the Earth’s mantle, it is commonly accepted that convective motion in the sublithospheric mantle results in vertical deflections and horizontal plate motion on the Earth’s surface. Those mantle flow-driven vertical deflections are recognized through significant signals and traces in the sedimentary records (unconformities and missing sections). Recently, Friedrich et al. (2018) introduced an event-based plume stratigraphic framework that uses such signals in the stratigraphic record to detect the geological evolution near, and on the Earth’s surface in areas of interregional scale caused by mantle plume movement. Information about these dynamic processes is stored in geological archives, such as (1) stratigraphic records of sedimentary basins and (2) thermochronological data sets of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.</p><p>For the first time, this research combines these two geological archives and applies them to the Mesozoic SW Gondwana intraplate environment to retrieve the Paraná-Etendeka plume movement prior to the Paraná-Etendeka LIP. We compiled 18 stratigraphic records of the major continental and marine sedimentary basins and over 35 thermochronological data sets including >1300 apatite fission-track ages surrounding the Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province to test the event-based plume stratigraphic framework and its plume stratigraphic mapping to retrieve the timing and spatial distribution of the Paraná-Etendeka plume.</p><p>The plume stratigraphic mapping, using the stratigraphic records is suitable to demark a possible plume center, plume margins and distal regions (Friedrich et al., 2018). Thermochronological data reveal centers of a significant thermal Paraná-Etendeka plume influence. Both archives show significant signals and traces of mantle plume movement well in advance of the flood basalt eruptions. Our LTT data combined with stratigraphic records are modeled successfully with respect to a viable mantle plume driven thermal evolution and therefore, we suggest that thermochronological data, in combination with stratigraphy records have the potential to retrieve the Paraná-Etendeka plume movement.</p>

Plate tectonics and Earth System Science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietmar Müller
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Plate Boundaries ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Lithospheric Deformation ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Plate Models ◽  
Reconstruction Software

<p>Over the last 25 years the theory of plate tectonics and a growing set of geo-databases have been used to develop global plate models with increasing sophistication, enabled by open-source plate reconstruction software, particularly GPlates. Today’s editable open-access community models include networks of evolving plate boundaries and deforming regions, reflecting the fact that tectonic plates are not always rigid. The theory of plate tectonics was originally developed primarily based on magnetic anomaly and fracture zone data from the ocean basins. As a consequence there has been a focus on applying plate tectonics to modelling the Jurassic to present-day evolution of the Earth based on the record of preserved seafloor, or only modelling the motions of continents at earlier times. Modern plate models are addressing this shortcoming with recently developed technologies built upon the pyGPlates python library, utilising evolving plate boundary topologies to reconstruct entirely destroyed seafloor for the entire Phanerozoic. Uncertainties in these reconstructions are large and can represented with end-member scenarios. These models are paving the way for a multitude of applications aimed at better understanding Earth system evolution, connecting surface processes with the Earth’s mantle via plate tectonics. These models allow us to address questions such as: What are the causes of major perturbations in the interplay between tectonic plate motion and Earth’s deep interior? How do lithospheric deformation, mantle convection driven dynamic topography and climate change together drive regional changes in erosion and sedimentation? How are major perturbations of the plate-mantle system connected to environmental change, biological extinctions and species radiation?</p>

Modelling moving force of tectonic plates with the use of length of day variation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Csilla Fodor ◽  
Péter Varga
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
Rotational Energy ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Orbital Energy ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Length Of Day ◽  
Tidal Friction ◽  
Tectonic Plates ◽  
The Earth

<p>The nature, the age and probably first of all the magnitude of driving forces of plate motion since long are a subject of scientific debates and it cannot be regarded as clarified even today.</p><p>The physical basis of recent plate tectonics is characterized by interaction between plates by viscous coupling to a convecting mantle.  Authors are going to demonstrate that changes in the Earth's axial rotation can affect the movement of tectonic plates, and the phenomenon of tidal friction is able to shift the lithospheric plates.</p><p>The tidal friction regulates the length of day (LOD)and consequently also the rotational energy of the Earth. It can be investigated with the use of total tidal energy<sub>, </sub>which can be determined as a sum of three energies (energy of axial rotation of the Earth, Moon’s orbital energy around the common centre of mass and the mutual potential energy). It was found that during the last 3 Ga the Earth lost 33% of its rotational energy. The LOD 0.5Ga BP (before present) was ~21 h. This means that the rotational energy loss rate was 4.1 times higher during the Pz (Phanerozoic, from 560 Ma BP to our age) than earlier in the Arch (Archean, 4 to 2.5 Ga BP) and Ptz (Proterozoic 2.5 to0.56 Ga BP). The low-velocity zone (LVZ) at 100-200 km depth interval, close to the boundary between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere characterized by a negative anomaly of shear wave velocities. Consequently, the LVZ can result in a decoupling effect. Tidal friction brakes the lithosphere and the part of the Earth below the asthenosphere with different forces. By model calculation, we show that this force difference is sufficient to move the tectonic plates along the Earth’s surface.  </p><p>Reference: Varga P., Fodor Cs., 2021. About the energy and age of the plate tectonics, Terra Nova. (in print) https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12518</p>

scholarly journals Is plate tectonis withstanding the test of time?

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Shields
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Seafloor Spreading ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Horizontal Plate ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Polar Wander ◽  
True Polar Wander ◽  
Constant Size ◽  
The Earth

Since the theory of plate tectonics was first proposed thirty years ago, some problems have arisen in its practical application. These call into question its fundamental assumptions of horizontal plate motion, hotspot fixity, true polar wander, Panthalassa, and the Earth’s constant size while leaving seafloor spreading and subduction intact. A rapidity expanding earth solves these problems and privides an alternative viewpoint worth reconsidering.

PLANETARY SELF-ORGANIZATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-282
Author(s):  
OLEG IVANOV
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical System ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Rotation Speed ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
The Earth ◽  
New Type

The general characteristics of planetary systems are described. Well-known heat sources of evolution are considered. A new type of heat source, variations of kinematic parameters in a dynamical system, is proposed. The inconsistency of the perovskite-post-perovskite heat model is proved. Calculations of inertia moments relative to the D boundary on the Earth are given. The 9 times difference allows us to claim that the sliding of the upper layers at the Earth's rotation speed variations emit heat by viscous friction.This heat is the basis of mantle convection and lithospheric plate tectonics.

Ups and Downs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Livermore
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Great Depth ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The World ◽  
The 1960S

Despite the dumbing-down of education in recent years, it would be unusual to find a ten-year-old who could not name the major continents on a map of the world. Yet how many adults have the faintest idea of the structures that exist within the Earth? Understandably, knowledge is limited by the fact that the Earth’s interior is less accessible than the surface of Pluto, mapped in 2016 by the NASA New Horizons spacecraft. Indeed, Pluto, 7.5 billion kilometres from Earth, was discovered six years earlier than the similar-sized inner core of our planet. Fortunately, modern seismic techniques enable us to image the mantle right down to the core, while laboratory experiments simulating the pressures and temperatures at great depth, combined with computer modelling of mantle convection, help identify its mineral and chemical composition. The results are providing the most rapid advances in our understanding of how this planet works since the great revolution of the 1960s.

scholarly journals Revolutions in the earth sciences

1999 ◽  
Vol 354 (1392) ◽  
pp. 1915-1919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Allègre ◽  
Vincent Courtillot
Keyword(s):  
Earth Sciences ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Statistical Physics ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Scientific Revolutions ◽  
The Earth

The 20th century has been a century of scientific revolutions for many disciplines: quantum mechanics in physics, the atomic approach in chemistry, the nonlinear revolution in mathematics, the introduction of statistical physics. The major breakthroughs in these disciplines had all occurred by about 1930. In contrast, the revolutions in the so–called natural sciences, that is in the earth sciences and in biology, waited until the last half of the century. These revolutions were indeed late, but they were no less deep and drastic, and they occurred quite suddenly. Actually, one can say that not one but three revolutions occurred in the earth sciences: in plate tectonics, planetology and the environment. They occurred essentially independently from each other, but as time passed, their effects developed, amplified and started interacting. These effects continue strongly to this day.

scholarly journals Towards community-driven paleogeographic reconstructions: integrating open-access paleogeographic and paleobiology data with plate tectonics

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1529-1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Wright ◽  
S. Zahirovic ◽  
R. D. Müller ◽  
M. Seton
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Temporal Data Mining ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Fossil Data

Abstract. A variety of paleogeographic reconstructions have been published, with applications ranging from paleoclimate, ocean circulation and faunal radiation models to resource exploration; yet their uncertainties remain difficult to assess as they are generally presented as low-resolution static maps. We present a methodology for ground-truthing the digital Palaeogeographic Atlas of Australia by linking the GPlates plate reconstruction tool to the global Paleobiology Database and a Phanerozoic plate motion model. We develop a spatio-temporal data mining workflow to validate the Phanerozoic Palaeogeographic Atlas of Australia with paleoenvironments derived from fossil data. While there is general agreement between fossil data and the paleogeographic model, the methodology highlights key inconsistencies. The Early Devonian paleogeographic model of southeastern Australia insufficiently describes the Emsian inundation that may be refined using biofacies distributions. Additionally, the paleogeographic model and fossil data can be used to strengthen numerical models, such as the dynamic topography and the associated inundation of eastern Australia during the Cretaceous. Although paleobiology data provide constraints only for paleoenvironments with high preservation potential of organisms, our approach enables the use of additional proxy data to generate improved paleogeographic reconstructions.

The Role of Chlorine in Stratospheric Chemistry

1996 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1749-1756 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Molina
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Plastic Foam ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Stratospheric Chemistry ◽  
Blowing Agents ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone Layer ◽  
The Earth

The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are industrialchemicals used as solvents, refrigerants, plastic foam blowing agents,etc. These compounds are eventually released to the environment; theyslowly drift into the stratosphere, where they decompose, initiatinga catalytic process involving chlorine free radicals and leading toozone destruction. The stratospheric ozone layer is important for theearth's energy budget, and it shields the surface of the earth fromultraviolet radiation from the sun. Very significant depletion of theozone layer has been observed in the spring months over Antarctica duringthe last 10-15 years. Laboratory experiments, model calculations andfield measurements, which include several aircraft expeditions, haveyielded a wealth of information which clearly points to the CFCs asthe main cause of this depletion.

scholarly journals A Review of the Geomechanics Aspects in Space Exploration

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 7522
Author(s):  
Dariusz Knez ◽  
Mohammad Ahmad Mahmoudi Zamani
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Operational Constraints ◽  
Comprehensive Reference

From the 2000s onwards, unprecedented space missions have brought about a wealth of novel investigations on the different aspects of space geomechanics. Such aspects are related to the exploratory activities such as drilling, sampling, coring, water extraction, anchoring, etc. So far, a whole range of constitutive research projects on the plate tectonics, morphology, volcanic activities and volatile content of planetary bodies have been implemented. Furthermore, various laboratory experiments on extraterrestrial samples and their artificial terrestrial simulants are continually conducted to obtain the physical and mechanical properties of the corresponding specimens. Today, with the space boom being steered by diverse space agencies, the incorporation of geomechanics into space exploration appreciably appears much needed. The primary objective of this article is to collate and integrate the up-to-date investigations related to the geomechanical applications in space technologies. Emphasis is given to the new and future applications such as planetary drilling and water extraction. The main impetus is to provide a comprehensive reference for geoscience scientists and astronauts to quickly become acquainted with the cutting-edge advancements in the area of space geomechanics. Moreover, this research study also elaborates on the operational constraints in space geomechanics which necessitate further scientific investigations.

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