This map tectonic plates the earth’s crust It is by no means a fixed and unchangeable thing. Now a group of scientists has updated this map, which introduces some innovations in the configuration of these plates and whose knowledge helps to more accurately understand volcanoes and earthquakes.
Derrick Hasterok, a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Adelaide (Australia), said “available information on the configuration of plate boundary zones and how the continental crust is built” was analyzed to create the new map. led the team that created the new models.
“The continents were put together a bit like a puzzle, but cEach time the puzzle was completed, it was cut and rearranged to create a new image.. Our work helps to understand the different components of the process so that geologists can piece together previous images.”
“We found that plate boundary zones make up almost 16% of the Earth’s crust and an even higher proportion of continents, 27%,” explained the professor.
The research team produced three new geological models in the lab: a plate model, a ‘province’ model, and an orogeny model. (the mountain formation process).
“There are 26 orogens, the mountain-building process, that have left an imprint on the current architecture of the Earth’s crust. Most, if not all, are related to the formation of supercontinents,” Hasterok said.
“Our work allows us to update the maps of plate tectonics and continent formation in textbooks. your classes. These plate models, taken from global seismicity and topographic models, had not been updated since 2003.
News and changes
New license plate model made by his team contains several new microplatesIncluding the Macquarie microplate south of Tasmania and the Capricorn microplate separating the Indian and Australian plates.
“To further enrich the model, added more accurate information about crumpled zone boundaries: Previous models showed them as discrete areas instead of large regions,” added Hasterok.
“The biggest changes in plate pattern occurred in western North America., has a Pacific plate boundary usually drawn as the San Andreas and Queen Charlotte faults. However, the newly drawn border is much wider than the previously mapped narrow area, about 1,500 km.”
“The other big change is in Central Asia”. “As the plate moves towards Eurasia, the new model now includes all deformation zones north of India.”
published in the magazine Earth Science StudiesThe team’s work provides a more accurate representation of Earth’s architecture and has other important applications.
Greater sensitivity for volcanoes and earthquakes
“Ours New plate tectonics model better explains spatial distribution of 90% of earthquakes and 80% of volcanoes while current models account for only 65% of earthquakes,” said Dr. Hasterok.
“The plate model can be used to improve geological hazard risk models, the orogeny model helps to understand geodynamic systems and better model Earth’s evolution, and the provincial model can be used to improve mineral exploration,” said the expert.
Reference work: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012825222001532?via%3Dihub
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