scholarly journals Indo-Atlantic plate accelerations around the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary: A time-scale error, not a plume-push signal

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1169-1173
Author(s):  
L. Pérez-Díaz ◽  
G. Eagles ◽  
K. Sigloch
Keyword(s):  
Time Scale ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Plate Tectonic ◽  
Flood Basalts ◽  
African Plate ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Motion Models ◽  
Reversal Time ◽  
Scale Error

Abstract It has been suggested that plume arrival at the base of the lithosphere introduces a push force that overwhelms the balance of torques driving plate circuits, leading to plate-tectonic reorganizations. Among the most compelling evidence in support of a “plume-push” mechanism is the apparent coincidence between eruption of the Deccan flood basalts around 67–64 Ma and a short-lived increase in Indian (and decrease in African) plate speed. Using existing and newly calculated high-resolution plate-motion models, we show that plate divergence rates briefly increased throughout the Indo-Atlantic circuit, contrary to the expected effects of plume-push. We propose that this circuit-wide spike in divergence rates is best explained as the artifact of a magnetic reversal time-scale error around the much studied Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, and that the period spanning chrons C29–C28 lasted 70% longer than currently assumed. Corrected for this error, the residual long-term patterns of Indo-Atlantic plate motions and accompanying plate-tectonic reorganization are explicable in terms of maturation of the circuit’s spreading ridges, without invoking a significant plume-push force.

No signal of a plume push force in Indo-Atlantic plate speeds before, during, or after Deccan plume arrival

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Eagles ◽  
Lucía Pérez Díaz ◽  
Karin Sigloch
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Driving Mechanism ◽  
African Plate ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Driving Mechanisms ◽  
High Resolution Models ◽  
Spreading Rates

<p>Observations of the apparent links between plate speeds and the global distribution of plate boundary types have led to the suggestion that subduction may provide the largest component in the balance of torques maintaining plate motions. This would imply that plate speeds should not exceed the sinking rates of slabs into the upper mantle. Instances of this ‘speed limit’ having been broken may thus hint at the existence of driving mechanisms additional to those resulting from plate boundary forces. The arrival and emplacement of the Deccan-Réunion mantle plume beneath the Indian-African plate boundary in the 67-62 Ma period has been discussed in terms of one such additional driving mechanism, leading to the establishment of “plume-push” hypothesis, which in recent years has gained significant traction. We challenge the model-based observations that form the principal evidence in favour of plume-push: a late Cretaceous pulse of anticorrelating accelerations and decelerations in seafloor spreading rates around the African and Indian plates. Using existing and newly-calculated high-resolution models of plate motion, we instead document an increase in divergence rates at 67-64 Ma. Because of its ubiquity, we consider this increase to be the artefact of a timescale error affecting chrons 29-28. Corrected for this artefact, the evolution of plate speeds resembles a smooth continuation of pre-existing late Cretaceous trends, consistent with the idea that the arrival of the Réunion plume did not substantially affect the existing balance of plate boundary forces on the Indian and African plates. </p>

scholarly journals Current Plate Motions

1988 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 351-352
Author(s):  
Richard Gordon ◽  
Charles Demets ◽  
Seth Stein ◽  
Don Argus ◽  
Dale Woods
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Continental Drift ◽  
Geophysical Data ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Plate Boundaries ◽  
Transform Faults ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Motion Models ◽  
Self Consistent

The standard against which VLBI measurements of continental drift and plate motions are compared are self-consistent global models of “present-day” plate motions determined from geophysical data: marine magnetic anomalies at oceanic spreading centers, azimuths of transform faults, and orientations of earthquake slip vectors on transform faults and at subduction zones. Past global plate motion models have defined regions where the assumption that plates behave rigidly has apparently lead to systematic misfits, sometimes exceeding 10 mm/yr, of plate motion data. Here, we present some of the results from NUVEL-1, a new, self-consistent global model of present-day relative plate motions determined from a compilation and analysis of existing and new geophysical data. These data and new techniques have allowed us to eliminate nearly all statistically significant systematic misfits identified by earlier models, suggesting that the rigid-plate assumption is an excellent approximation when plate motions are averaged over several million years. Beside improving estimates of the motion on previously identified plate boundaries, we have also identified and determined motions on other boundaries whose subtle morphologies, lack of seismicity, and very slow (< 10 mm/yr) relative motions have made them difficult to detect. Here we focus on the application of VLBI measurements to help resolve plate tectonic problems and then briefly outline our results for Pacific-North America motion and plate motions in the Indian Ocean.

scholarly journals Closure of the Proterozoic Mozambique Ocean was instigated by a late Tonian plate reorganization event

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan S. Collins ◽  
Morgan L. Blades ◽  
Andrew S. Merdith ◽  
John D. Foden
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Plate Tectonic ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Plate Movement ◽  
The Core ◽  
Tectonic Reconstruction ◽  
Nubian Shield ◽  
Arabian Nubian Shield

AbstractPlate reorganization events involve fundamental changes in lithospheric plate-motions and can influence the lithosphere-mantle system as well as both ocean and atmospheric circulation through bathymetric and topographic changes. Here, we compile published data to interpret the geological record of the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield and integrate this with a full-plate tectonic reconstruction. Our model reveals a plate reorganization event in the late Tonian period about 720 million years ago that changed plate-movement directions in the Mozambique Ocean. After the reorganization, Neoproterozoic India moved towards both the African cratons and Australia-Mawson and instigated the future amalgamation of central Gondwana about 200 million years later. This plate kinematic change is coeval with the breakup of the core of Rodinia between Australia-Mawson and Laurentia and Kalahari and Congo. We suggest the plate reorganization event caused the long-term shift of continents to the southern hemisphere and created a pan-northern hemisphere ocean in the Ediacaran.

Coupled evolution of supercontinents and lower mantle structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianzhi Cao ◽  
Nicolas Flament ◽  
Ömer Bodur ◽  
Dietmar Müller
Keyword(s):  
Lower Mantle ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Motion Path ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Plate Tectonic ◽  
Mantle Structure ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Over Time

&lt;p&gt;The relationships between plate motions and basal mantle structure remain poorly understood, with some models implying that the basal mantle structure has remained stable over time, while others suggest that it could be shaped by the aggregation and dispersal of supercontinents. Here we investigate the plate-basal mantle relationship through 1) building a series of end-member plate tectonic models over one billion years, and 2) creating mantle flow models assimilated by those plate models. To achieve that, we build synthetic plate tectonic models dating from 1&amp;#160;Ga to 250 Ma that we connect to an existing palaeogeographical plate reconstruction from 250 Ma to create a relative plate motion model for the last 1 Gyr, in which supercontinent breakup and reassembly occur via introversion. We consider three distinct reference frames that result in different net lithospheric rotation. We find that the flow models predict a dominant degree-2 lower mantle structure most of the time and that they are in first-order agreement (~70% spatial match) with tomographic models. Model thermochemical structures at the base of the mantle may split into smaller structures when slabs sink onto them, and smaller basal structures may merge into larger ones as a result of slab pushing. The basal thermochemical structure under the superocean is large and continuous, whereas the basal thermochemical structure under the supercontinent is smaller and progressively assembles during and shortly after supercontinent assembly. In the models, plumes also develop preferentially along the edge of the basal thermochemical structures and tend to migrate towards the interior of basal structures over time as they interact with the slabs. Lone plumes can also form away from the main thermochemical structures, often within a small network of sinking slabs. Lone plumes may migrate between basal structures. We analyse the relationship between imposed tectonic velocities and deep mantle flow, and find that at spherical harmonic degree 2, the maxima of lower mantle radial flow and temperature follow the motion path of the maxima of surface divergence. It may take ~160-240 Myr for lower mantle structure to reflect plate motion changes when the lower mantle is reorganised by slabs sinking onto basal thermochemical structures, and/or when slabs stagnate in the transition zone before sinking to the lower mantle. Basal thermochemical structures move at less than 0.6 &amp;#176;/Myr in our models with a temporal average of 0.16 &amp;#176;/Myr when there is no net lithospheric rotation, and between 0.20-0.23 &amp;#176;/Myr when net lithospheric rotation exists and is induced to the lower mantle. Our results suggest that basal thermochemical structures are not stationary, but rather linked to global plate motions and plate boundary reconfigurations, reflecting the dynamic nature of the co-evolving plate-mantle system.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of recent revisions to the geomagnetic reversal time scale on estimates of current plate motions

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 2191-2194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles DeMets ◽  
Richard G. Gordon ◽  
Donald F. Argus ◽  
Seth Stein
Keyword(s):  
Time Scale ◽  
Geomagnetic Reversal ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Reversal Time

scholarly journals Noise in the Cretaceous Quiet Zone uncovers plate tectonic chain reaction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derya Guerer ◽  
Roi Granot ◽  
Douwe van Hinsbergen
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Mantle Plume ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Convergence Rates ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Plate Tectonic ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
African Plate ◽  
Mantle Dynamics ◽  
Chain Reactions

Global plate reorganizations, intriguing but loosely defined periods of profoundly changing plate motions, may be caused by a single trigger such as a continental collision or a rising mantle plume. But whether and how such triggers propagate throughout a plate circuit remains unknown. Here, we show how a rising mantle plume set off a ‘plate tectonic chain reaction’. Plume rise has been shown to trigger formation of a subduction zone within the Neotethys Ocean between Africa and Eurasia at ~105 Ma. We provide new constraints on Africa-Eurasia convergence rates using variations in geomagnetic ‘noise’ within the Cretaceous Normal Superchron (the 126-83 Ma period without magnetic reversals) recorded in the Atlantic Quiet Zones crust. These new constraints are consistent with the timing of numerically predicted African Plate acceleration and deceleration associated with onset and arrest of the intra-Neotethyan subduction zone. The acceleration was associated with a change in Africa-Eurasia convergence direction, which in turn was accommodated by a next subduction initiation at ~85 Ma in the Alpine region that cascaded into regional tectonic events. Our concept of plate tectonic chain reactions shows how changes in plate motion, underpinned by mantle dynamics, may self-perpetuate through a plate circuit, making global plate reorganizations a key to unlock the driving mechanisms behind plate tectonics.

The long-term instability of the new generation hydrogen masers

2020 ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
S.I. Donchenko ◽  
I.Y. Blinov ◽  
I.B. Norets ◽  
Y.F. Smirnov ◽  
A.A. Belyaev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Scale ◽  
Frequency Difference ◽  
Clock Frequency ◽  
Quantum Frequency ◽  
Frequency Standards ◽  
Quantum Frequency Standards ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Atomic Time

The latest changes in the algorithm for the formation of the international atomic time scale TAI are reported in terms of estimating the weights of the clocks involved in the formation of TAI. Studies of the characteristics of the long-term instability of new-generation hydrogen masers based on processing the results of the clock frequency difference with respect to TAI are performed. It has been confirmed that at present, new-generation hydrogen masers show significantly less long-term instability in comparison with quantum frequency standards ofsimilar and other types.

Orientation of absolute African plate motion revealed by tomomorphometric analysis of the Ethiopian dome

Geology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1147-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Collet ◽  
Jean François Parrot ◽  
Hind Taud
Keyword(s):  
Plate Motion ◽  
African Plate

scholarly journals Ensemble Pulsar Time Study by Pulsar Timing Observations

2004 ◽  
Vol 218 ◽  
pp. 439-440
Author(s):  
Tinggao Yang ◽  
Guangren Ni
Keyword(s):  
Time Scale ◽  
Wavelet Decomposition ◽  
Time Study ◽  
Millisecond Pulsar ◽  
Millisecond Pulsars ◽  
Pulsar Time ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Timing Data ◽  
Gravitational Wave Background

Long term timing of multiple millisecond pulsars can contribute to the study of an ensemble pulsar time scale PTens. A wavelet decomposition algorithm (WDA) was applied to define a PTens using the available millisecond pulsar timing datA. The PTens obtained from WDA is more stable than those resulting from other algorithms. The Chinese 50 m radio telescope is specially designed for PTens study and detection of gravitational wave background via millisecond pulsars timing observations. A scheme for multiple millisecond pulsar timing and ensemble pulsar time study is discussed in some detail.

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.

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