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Absolute plate motions and true polar wander in the absence of hotspot tracks

Author

Listed:
  • Bernhard Steinberger

    (Centre for Geodynamics, Geological Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Trond H. Torsvik

    (Centre for Geodynamics, Geological Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo
    School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand)

Abstract

The observed motion of continents relative to the Earth's spin axis may be due either to rotation of the entire Earth relative to its spin axis ('true polar wander'), or to the motion of individual tectonic plates. To distinguish between these processes, the global average of continental motion and rotation in a palaeomagnetic reference frame over the past 320 Myr was computed and two components were identified: a steady northward motion and, during certain time intervals, clockwise and counterclockwise rotations, which they interpret as true polar wander.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernhard Steinberger & Trond H. Torsvik, 2008. "Absolute plate motions and true polar wander in the absence of hotspot tracks," Nature, Nature, vol. 452(7187), pages 620-623, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:452:y:2008:i:7187:d:10.1038_nature06824
    DOI: 10.1038/nature06824
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    Cited by:

    1. Alik Ismail-Zadeh & Anne Davaille & Jean Besse & Yuri Volozh, 2024. "East European sedimentary basins long heated by a fading mantle upwelling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Xianqing Jing & Zhenyu Yang & Ross N. Mitchell & Yabo Tong & Min Zhu & Bo Wan, 2022. "Ordovician–Silurian true polar wander as a mechanism for severe glaciation and mass extinction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Yifei Hou & Pan Zhao & Huafeng Qin & Ross N. Mitchell & Qiuli Li & Wenxing Hao & Min Zhang & Peter D. Ward & Jie Yuan & Chenglong Deng & Rixiang Zhu, 2024. "Completing the loop of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous true polar wander event," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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