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.

scholarly journals Towards adaptable, interactive and quantitative paleogeographic maps

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 9603-9636 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Wright ◽  
S. Zahirovic ◽  
R. D. Müller ◽  
M. Seton
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Temporal Data Mining ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Resource Exploration ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Ground Truthing ◽  
Plate Reconstruction ◽  
Fossil Data

Abstract. A variety of paleogeographic atlases have been constructed, with applications 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 paleogeographic maps, 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 compare a Phanerozoic Paleogeographic Atlas of Australia with biogeographic indicators. The agreement between fossil data and paleogeographic maps is quite good, but the methodology also highlights key inconsistencies. The Early Devonian paleogeography of southeastern Australia insufficiently describes the Emsian inundation that is supported by biogeography. Additionally, the Cretaceous inundation of eastern Australia retreats by 110 Ma according to the paleogeography, but the biogeography indicates that inundation prevailed until at least 100 Ma. Paleobiogeography can also be used to refine Gondwana breakup and the extent of pre-breakup Greater India can be inferred from the southward limit of inundation along western Australia. 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.

scholarly journals Improving global paleogeography since the late Paleozoic using paleobiology

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 5425-5439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenchao Cao ◽  
Sabin Zahirovic ◽  
Nicolas Flament ◽  
Simon Williams ◽  
Jan Golonka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Map Projections ◽  
Motion Models ◽  
Tectonic Reconstruction ◽  
Isotope Record ◽  
America South ◽  
Regional Sea Level ◽  
Plate Reconstruction

Abstract. Paleogeographic reconstructions are important to understand Earth's tectonic evolution, past eustatic and regional sea level change, paleoclimate and ocean circulation, deep Earth resources and to constrain and interpret the dynamic topography predicted by mantle convection models. Global paleogeographic maps have been compiled and published, but they are generally presented as static maps with varying map projections, different time intervals represented by the maps and different plate motion models that underlie the paleogeographic reconstructions. This makes it difficult to convert the maps into a digital form and link them to alternative digital plate tectonic reconstructions. To address this limitation, we develop a workflow to restore global paleogeographic maps to their present-day coordinates and enable them to be linked to a different tectonic reconstruction. We use marine fossil collections from the Paleobiology Database to identify inconsistencies between their indicative paleoenvironments and published paleogeographic maps, and revise the locations of inferred paleo-coastlines that represent the estimated maximum transgression surfaces by resolving these inconsistencies. As a result, the consistency ratio between the paleogeography and the paleoenvironments indicated by the marine fossil collections is increased from an average of 75 % to nearly full consistency (100 %). The paleogeography in the main regions of North America, South America, Europe and Africa is significantly revised, especially in the Late Carboniferous, Middle Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Late Cretaceous and most of the Cenozoic. The global flooded continental areas since the Early Devonian calculated from the revised paleogeography in this study are generally consistent with results derived from other paleoenvironment and paleo-lithofacies data and with the strontium isotope record in marine carbonates. We also estimate the terrestrial areal change over time associated with transferring reconstruction, filling gaps and modifying the paleogeographic geometries based on the paleobiology test. This indicates that the variation of the underlying plate reconstruction is the main factor that contributes to the terrestrial areal change, and the effect of revising paleogeographic geometries based on paleobiology is secondary.

scholarly journals Improving global paleogeography since the late Paleozoic using paleobiology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenchao Cao ◽  
Sabin Zahirovic ◽  
Nicolas Flament ◽  
Simon Williams ◽  
Jan Golonka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Plate Tectonic ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Tectonic Reconstructions ◽  
Marine Boundaries ◽  
Continental Growth

Abstract. Paleogeographic reconstructions are important to understand Earth's tectonic evolution, past eustatic and regional sea level change, hydrocarbon genesis, and to constrain and interpret the dynamic topography predicted by time-dependent global mantle convection models. Several global paleogeographic maps have been compiled and published but they are generally presented as static maps with varying temporal resolution and fixed spatial resolution. Existing global paleogeographic maps are also tied to a particular plate motion model, making it difficult to link them to alternative digital plate tectonic reconstructions. To address this limitation, we developed a workflow to reverse-engineer global paleogeographic maps to their present-day coordinates and enable them to be linked to any tectonic reconstruction. Published paleogeographic compilations are also tied to fixed input datasets. We used fossil data from the Paleobiology Database to identify inconsistencies between fossils paleo-environments and published paleogeographic maps, and to improve the location of inferred terrestrial-marine boundaries by resolving these inconsistencies. As a result, the overall consistency ratio between the paleogeography and fossil collections was improved from 76.9 % to 96.1 %. We estimated the surface areas of global paleogeographic features (shallow marine environments, landmasses, mountains and ice sheets), and reconstructed the global continental flooding history since the late Paleozoic based on the amended paleogeographies. Finally, we discuss the relationships between emerged land area and total continental crust area through time, continental growth models, and strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) signatures in ocean water. Our study highlights the flexibility of digital paleogeographic models linked to state-of-the-art plate tectonic reconstructions in order to better understand the interplay of continental growth and eustasy, with wider implications for understanding Earth's paleotopography, ocean circulation, and the role of mantle convection in shaping long-wavelength topography.

scholarly journals Processes and deformation rates generating seismicity in metropolitan France and conterminous Western Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Mazzotti ◽  
Hervé Jomard ◽  
Frédéric Masson
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Geodetic Data ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Plate Boundaries ◽  
Normal Extension ◽  
Deformation Localization ◽  
Seismicity Rates

Most of metropolitan France and conterminous Western Europe is currently located within the Eurasia intraplate domain, far from major plate boundaries (the Atlantic ridge and Nubia – Eurasia convergence zone). As in other intraplate regions, present-day deformation and seismicity rates are very slow, resulting in limited data and strong uncertainties on the ongoing seismotectonics and seismic hazards. In the last two decades, new geological, seismological and geodetic data and research have brought to light unexpected deformation patterns in metropolitan France, such as orogen-normal extension ca. 0.5 mm yr−1 in the Pyrenees and Western Alps that cannot be associated with their mountain-building history. Elsewhere, present-day deformation and seismicity data provide a partial picture that points to mostly extensive to strike-slip deformation regimes (except in the Western Alps foreland). A review of the numerous studies and observations shows that plate tectonics (plate motion, mantle convection) are not the sole, nor likely the primary driver of present-day deformation and seismicity and that additional processes must be considered, such as topography potential energy, erosion or glacial isostatic adjustment since the last glaciation. The exact role of each process probably varies from one region to another and remains to be characterized. In addition, structural inheritance (crust or mantle weakening from past tectonic events) can play a strong role in deformation localization and amplification up to factors of 5–20, which could explain some of the spatial variability in seismicity. On the basis of this review, we identify three research directions that should be developed to better characterize the seismicity, deformation rates and related processes in metropolitan France: macroseismic and historical seismicity, especially regarding moment magnitude estimations; geodetic deformation, including in regions of low seismicity where the ratio of seismic to aseismic deformation remains a key unknown; an integrated and consistent seismotectonic framework comprising numerical models, geological, seismological and geodetic data. The latter has the potential for significant improvements in the characterization of seismicity and seismic hazard in metropolitan France but also Western Europe.

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>

scholarly journals Global patterns in Earth's dynamic topography since the Jurassic: the role of subducted slabs

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 899-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rubey ◽  
Sascha Brune ◽  
Christian Heine ◽  
D. Rhodri Davies ◽  
Simon E. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Western Eurasia

Abstract. We evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of Earth's long-wavelength surface dynamic topography since the Jurassic using a series of high-resolution global mantle convection models. These models are Earth-like in terms of convective vigour, thermal structure, surface heat-flux and the geographic distribution of heterogeneity. The models generate a degree-2-dominated spectrum of dynamic topography with negative amplitudes above subducted slabs (i.e. circum-Pacific regions and southern Eurasia) and positive amplitudes elsewhere (i.e. Africa, north-western Eurasia and the central Pacific). Model predictions are compared with published observations and subsidence patterns from well data, both globally and for the Australian and southern African regions. We find that our models reproduce the long-wavelength component of these observations, although observed smaller-scale variations are not reproduced. We subsequently define geodynamic rules for how different surface tectonic settings are affected by mantle processes: (i) locations in the vicinity of a subduction zone show large negative dynamic topography amplitudes; (ii) regions far away from convergent margins feature long-term positive dynamic topography; and (iii) rapid variations in dynamic support occur along the margins of overriding plates (e.g. the western US) and at points located on a plate that rapidly approaches a subduction zone (e.g. India and the Arabia Peninsula). Our models provide a predictive quantitative framework linking mantle convection with plate tectonics and sedimentary basin evolution, thus improving our understanding of how subduction and mantle convection affect the spatio-temporal evolution of basin architecture.

scholarly journals Global patterns of Earth's dynamic topography since the Jurassic

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rubey ◽  
Sascha Brune ◽  
Christian Heine ◽  
David Rhodri Davies ◽  
Simon E. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
North West ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract. We evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of Earth’s long-wavelength surface dynamic topography since the Jurassic, using a series of high-resolution global mantle convection models. These models are Earth-like in terms of convective vigour, thermal structure, surface heat-flux and the geographic distribution of heterogeneity. The models generate a degree-2 dominated spectrum of dynamic topography, with negative amplitudes above subducted slabs (i.e. circum-Pacific regions and southern Eurasia) and positive amplitudes elsewhere (i.e. Africa, north-west Eurasia and the central Pacific). Model predictions are compared with published observations and subsidence patterns from well data, both globally and for the Australian and South African regions. We find that our models reproduce the long-wavelength component of these observations, although observed smaller-scale variations are not reproduced. We subsequently define “geodynamic rules” for how different surface tectonic settings are affected by mantle processes: (i) locations in the vicinity of a subduction zone show large negative dynamic topography amplitudes; (ii) regions far away from convergent margins feature long-term positive dynamic topography; (iii) rapid variations in dynamic support occur along the margins of overriding plates (e.g. Western US) and at points located on a plate that rapidly approaches a subduction zone (e.g. India and Arabia). Our models provide a predictive quantitative framework linking mantle convection with plate tectonics and sedimentary basin evolution, thus improving our understanding of how subduction and mantle convection affect the spatio-temporal evolution of basin architecture.

Stochastic simulation of the spatio-temporal field of the average daily heat index in Southern Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 149-160
Author(s):  
N Kargapolova
Keyword(s):  
Heat Waves ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Gaussian Field ◽  
The Real ◽  
Southern Russia ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Temporal Field

Numerical models of the heat index time series and spatio-temporal fields can be used for a variety of purposes, from the study of the dynamics of heat waves to projections of the influence of future climate on humans. To conduct these studies one must have efficient numerical models that successfully reproduce key features of the real weather processes. In this study, 2 numerical stochastic models of the spatio-temporal non-Gaussian field of the average daily heat index (ADHI) are considered. The field is simulated on an irregular grid determined by the location of weather stations. The first model is based on the method of the inverse distribution function. The second model is constructed using the normalization method. Real data collected at weather stations located in southern Russia are used to both determine the input parameters and to verify the proposed models. It is shown that the first model reproduces the properties of the real field of the ADHI more precisely compared to the second one, but the numerical implementation of the first model is significantly more time consuming. In the future, it is intended to transform the models presented to a numerical model of the conditional spatio-temporal field of the ADHI defined on a dense spatio-temporal grid and to use the model constructed for the stochastic forecasting of the heat index.

Antarctic Climate History and Global Climate Changes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pontus Lurcock ◽  
Fabio Florindo
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Climate History ◽  
Global Climate Changes ◽  
Planetary Albedo

Antarctic climate changes have been reconstructed from ice and sediment cores and numerical models (which also predict future changes). Major ice sheets first appeared 34 million years ago (Ma) and fluctuated throughout the Oligocene, with an overall cooling trend. Ice volume more than doubled at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Fluctuating Miocene temperatures peaked at 17–14 Ma, followed by dramatic cooling. Cooling continued through the Pliocene and Pleistocene, with another major glacial expansion at 3–2 Ma. Several interacting drivers control Antarctic climate. On timescales of 10,000–100,000 years, insolation varies with orbital cycles, causing periodic climate variations. Opening of Southern Ocean gateways produced a circumpolar current that thermally isolated Antarctica. Declining atmospheric CO2 triggered Cenozoic glaciation. Antarctic glaciations affect global climate by lowering sea level, intensifying atmospheric circulation, and increasing planetary albedo. Ice sheets interact with ocean water, forming water masses that play a key role in global ocean circulation.

scholarly journals Evaluation of ocean circulation models in the computation of the mean dynamic topography for geodetic applications. Case study in the Greek seas

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-173
Author(s):  
I. Mintourakis ◽  
G. Panou ◽  
D. Paradissis
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Tide Gauge ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
Tide Gauge Records ◽  
Mean Dynamic Topography ◽  
Case Study Area ◽  
Extensive Evaluation ◽  
Precise Knowledge

Abstract Precise knowledge of the oceanic Mean Dynamic Topography (MDT) is crucial for a number of geodetic applications, such as vertical datum unification and marine geoid modelling. The lack of gravity surveys over many regions of the Greek seas and the incapacity of the space borne gradiometry/gravity missions to resolve the small and medium wavelengths of the geoid led to the investigation of the oceanographic approach for computing the MDT. We compute two new regional MDT surfaces after averaging, for given epochs, the periodic gridded solutions of the Dynamic Ocean Topography (DOT) provided by two ocean circulation models. These newly developed regional MDT surfaces are compared to three state-of-theart models, which represent the oceanographic, the geodetic and the mixed oceanographic/geodetic approaches in the implementation of the MDT, respectively. Based on these comparisons, we discuss the differences between the three approaches for the case study area and we present some valuable findings regarding the computation of the regional MDT. Furthermore, in order to have an estimate of the precision of the oceanographic approach, we apply extensive evaluation tests on the ability of the two regional ocean circulation models to track the sea level variations by comparing their solutions to tide gauge records and satellite altimetry Sea Level Anomalies (SLA) data. The overall findings support the claim that, for the computation of the MDT surface due to the lack of geodetic data and to limitations of the Global Geopotential Models (GGMs) in the case study area, the oceanographic approach is preferable over the geodetic or the mixed oceano-graphic/geodetic approaches.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document