Download GLOBAL PLATE TECTONICS AND GEODYNAMICS

GLOBAL PLATE TECTONICS
AND GEODYNAMICS
CENTER FOR EARTH EVOLUTION AND DYNAMICS
UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
DIRECTOR: TROND H. TORSVIK
Assoc. DIRECTOR: CARMEN GAINA
VISION: Develop an Earth model that explains how mantle processes
drive plate tectonics and trigger massive volcanism and associated
environmental and climate changes throughout Earth history
Deep Earth: Materials, structure and dynamics
Mission: To develop a model that links
surface volcanism with processes in the deep
mantle
Main Hypothesis: Mantle plumes from the
edges of the stable LLSVPs explain the surface
distribution of most hotspots, LIPs and
kimberlites.
1.1: Absolute reference frames and links to the
deep mantle
1.2: Composition, mineral physics and origin of
the LLSVPs
1.3: Plumes from the margins of the LLSVPs:
Toward a geodynamic model
PROJECTS: BEYOND PLATE TECTONICS (T.H. Torsvik) –ERC Advanced Grant
BRISTOL UNIVERSITY
UTRECHT UNIVERSITY
Seton et al, 2012; Torsvik et al., 2008
Torsvik et al., 2010
Dynamic Earth: Plate motions and Earth history
Mission: To explore the link between the
lithosphere and the convecting mantle and
quantify how palaeogeography and TPW
have influenced the climate system.
Main Hypothesis: Motion of tectonic plates
is closely related to mantle dynamics and
the mantle dynamics drives major changes
in Earth’s life.
2.1: Supercontinents, Palaeogeography and Biogeography
2.2: Wilson Kickoff: Passive Margins and Break-up
2.3: Continents adrift and oceanic basin formation, true polar
wander & climate changes
2.4: Terminal Wilson: Subduction and Collision
Torsvik et al., 2012
PLATE TECTONICS MODEL 0-450 Ma is ROBUST and can explain
(and reproduce) LLSVP
Torsvik, T.H., Van der Voo, R., Doubrovine, P.V., Burke, K., Steinberger, B., Ashwal, L.D., Trønnes, R., Webb, S.J., Bull, A.L.,
2014. Deep mantle structure as a reference frame for move-ments in and on the Earth. Proc. Nat. Ac. Sci. (in review).
Bull, A.L., Domeier, M., Torsvik, T.H., 2014. The effect of plate-motion history on the longevity of deep mantle
heterogeneities. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. (in review).
GPlates EUROPEAN Node
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
LARGE SCALE GEODYNAMICS
MINERAL RESOURCES
LARGE IGNEOUS PROVINCES
DEVELOP A GPlates LIKE PLATFORM
FOR THE EUROPEAN DRIVEN EARTH MODEL
So far we have published most of our global models together with Australian
and American colleagues (in both countries data collected with public money has to
become freely available)
Seton et al., 2014
CENTER FOR EARTH EVOLUTION AND DYNAMICS
UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
DEVELOP A GPlates LIKE PLATFORM
FOR THE EUROPEAN DRIVEN EARTH MODEL
GPlates software development MOSTLY financed by Australian, American
And Norwegian Research Funding Agencies (ARC-AuSCOPE, NSF, NFR)
and minor Industry funding ALTHOUGH many companies are now using this
free software (and associated global models)
FULLY COUPLED EARTH MODEL?
Check earthcube.org; www.auscope.org.au