Recent tectonic plate decelerations driven by mantle convection

A. M. Forte, R. Moucha, D. B. Rowley, S. Quéré, J. X. Mitrovica, N. A. Simmons, S. P. Grand

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

We explore recent changes in tectonic plate velocities using a model of mantle flow that is based on a new high-resolution global tomography model derived from simultaneous inversions of global seismic, geodynamic and mineral physical data sets. This plate-coupled mantle convection model incorporates a viscosity structure that reconciles both glacial isostatic adjustment and global convection-related data sets. The convection model successfully reproduces present-day plate velocities and global surface gravity and topography constraints. We predict time-dependent changes in mantle buoyancy that give rise to present-day decelerations of several major plates, in particular the fast-moving Pacific and Nazca plates. We verify the plausibility of these predicted plate decelerations using space geodetic and oceanic magnetic anomaly constraints on tectonic plate motions. These plate kinematic constraints are employed to determine a new global map of present-day plate decelerations that agree well with the mantle flow predictions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL23301
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume36
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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