Geodynamics of a global plate reorganization from topological data analysis.

ABSTRACT: Earth's lithosphere is fragmented into tectonic plates that move relative to each other and the mantle, following a dynamic equilibrium that evolves over time. Sporadically, abrupt kinematic changes occur that typically lead to regional-scale plate reconfigurations, and hypothetically to global-scale events, affecting the motion of all major plates. Identifying and understanding such global plate reorganizations has proven challenging because of the geometric nature of plate tectonic theory and the scarcity of preserved kinematic changes. Here we combine Earth-like global mantle convection with topological data analysis to show that global plate reorganization events can emerge from mantle-lithosphere interactions. Unlike regional changes, during these rare global events, the entire plate

SUBMITTER: Janin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12510886 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature