Whole Earth Structure

and Plate Tectonics

Processes in Structural Geology & Tectonics

Ben van der Pluijm
WW Norton+Authors, unless noted otherwise
3/29/2016 2:04 PM

We Discuss

Earths topography
Earths layers

Tenets of plate tectonics

Todays plates
Plate boundaries

Kinematic of plate tectonics

The crust
The mantle

Linear and angular

velocities
Absolute and relative
motions

Mechanics of plate tectonics

Tectonic cycles

Wilson Cycle
Supercontinent Cycle

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Earths Surface - 3D Topography

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Hypsometric (=cumulative frequency) Elevation Curve

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Earths Seismologic and Rheologic Layering

strong

weak

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Crustal Section and Characteristic Rock Types

Gabbro
Granite

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Crustal Thickness

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/crust/

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The Crust and Geologic Provinces

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Age of the Crust

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Oceanic vs. Continental Crust

Gabbro

Composition

Continental crust has a mean composition that is less mafic

than that of oceanic crust.
Formation mode Continental crust is an amalgamation of rock that originally
formed at volcanic arcs or hot spots, and then subsequently
passes through the rock cycle. Mountain building, erosion
and sedimentation, and continuedvolcanism add to or
change continental crust. Oceanic crust all forms at mid-ocean
ridges by the process of seafloor spreading.
Thickness

Continental crust ranges between 25 km and 70 km in

thickness. Most oceanic crust is between 6 km and 10 km
thick. Thus, continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.

Heterogeneity

Oceanic crust can all be subdivided into the same distinct

layers, worldwide. Continental crust is very heterogeneous,
reflecting its complex history and the fact that different
regions of continental crust formed in different ways.

Age

Continental crust is buoyant relative to the upper mantle,

and thus cannot be subducted. Thus, portions of the
continental crust are very old (the oldest known crust is
about 4 Ga). Most oceanic crust, gets carried back into
the mantle during subduction, so there is no oceanic crust
on Earth older than about 200 Ma, with the exception of
the oceanic crust in ophiolites that have been emplaced
and preserved on continents.

Moho

The Moho at the base of the oceanic crust is very sharp,

suggesting that the boundary between crust and mantle is
sharp. The continental Moho tends to be less distinct.

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The Mantle - Tomography and Plates

SW California

SE North Carolina
Red is slow, is hot
Blue is fast, is cold

P-waves

S-waves
Ritsema

Grand et al., 1997

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The Tenets of Plate Tectonics

http://denali.gsfc.nasa.gov/dtam/

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Types of Plate Boundaries

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Examples of Plate Boundaries

Convergent: Japan

Divergent: Red Sea

Transform: New Zealand

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Insights from Earthquakes

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The Kinematics of Plate Tectonics

Relative velocity

Absolute velocity

Mantle hotspots as fixed

reference frame
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Plate Kinematics on a Sphere

Rotation on Euler pole
(=rotation axis):
a) Displacement follows
small circles
b) Transforms parallel
small circle segments
c) Same angular
velocity (w) between
plates
Different linear
velocity (v) as
function of distance
from Euler pole

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Extra: Triple Junctions and Evolution

(a) Stable ridge-trench-transform triple junction.

(b) With time ridge-trench-transform triple junction
location changes (from T to T), but the geometry
stays same.

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Todays Plate Motions (Absolute and Relative Velocities)

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Absolute Motions and

Speed Limit?

Zahirovic et al., 2015

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Mechanics of Plate Tectonics - Driving Forces

Gravitational forces (colored):

Ridge push: topographic spreading

Slab pull: negative buoyancy of slab

Resistive forces (black) are relatively
small

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Plate Tectonic Cycles:

The Wilson Cycle
a-b) Continent rifts, such
that crust stretches, faults
and subsides.
c) Seafloor spreading
begins, forming a new
ocean basin.
d) The ocean widens and
flanked by passive margins.
e) Subduction of oceanic
lithosphere begins on one
passive margins, closing
ocean basin.
(f-g) Ocean basin is
destroyed by continental
collision.

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Plate Tectonics Cycles: The Supercontinent Cycle

(a) Continents gradually aggregate over a

mantle downwelling zone.
(b) While supercontinent exists, large-scale
convection in the mantle reorganizes.
(c) Upwelling begins beneath
supercontinent and weakens it, leading
to breakup.
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1 b.y. of Plate Motion (late Precambrian-Future)

Scotese, 2004

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