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Subduction controls the distribution and fragmentation of Earth’s tectonic plates

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  • Claire Mallard

    (Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure, UMR 5276 CNRS, Université de Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France)

  • Nicolas Coltice

    (Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure, UMR 5276 CNRS, Université de Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
    Institut Universitaire de France)

  • Maria Seton

    (EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Building F09, University of Sydney)

  • R. Dietmar Müller

    (EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Building F09, University of Sydney)

  • Paul J. Tackley

    (Institute of Geophysics)

Abstract

Computer models of mantle convection with plate-like behaviour are used to demonstrate that the size–frequency distribution of tectonic plates on Earth is controlled by subduction geometry—the spacing between subducting slabs controls the layout of large plates, and the stresses caused by the bending of trenches break plates into smaller fragments.

Suggested Citation

  • Claire Mallard & Nicolas Coltice & Maria Seton & R. Dietmar Müller & Paul J. Tackley, 2016. "Subduction controls the distribution and fragmentation of Earth’s tectonic plates," Nature, Nature, vol. 535(7610), pages 140-143, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:535:y:2016:i:7610:d:10.1038_nature17992
    DOI: 10.1038/nature17992
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    Cited by:

    1. Kamil Maciuk & Agnieszka Peska-Siwik & Ahmed El-Mowafy & Lukasz Borowski & Michal Apollo, 2021. "Crustal Deformation Across and beyond Central Europe and Its Impact on Land Boundaries," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.

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