plate tectonics

Exploring rheology of Earth’s materials: The marvels of high-temperature high-pressure deformation experiments

Subhajit Ghosh and edited by Giridas Maiti May 1, 2024

[Mylonitization in quartz rich rocks from Himalayan shear zone, from Ghosh et al., 2023]

The Earth, with its towering mountains, shifting tectonic plates, and dynamic geological processes, has always been a subject of fascination and inquiry for scientists. Amidst the vast array of scientific disciplines, one relatively small yet impactful field, known as experimental rock deformation, plays a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. Though th ...[Read More]

Equilibrium Crustal Thickness and Dynamics of Earth’s Lithosphere: The Answer is 42.

Ajay Kumar and edited by Lorenzo Mantiloni March 13, 2024

There really is an answer, and now there is a question too - just deep below us rather than above. But then again, aren't up and down just conventions? Figure courtesy: Emily Hinshaw.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” had the answer; we think we have the right question. This week, Ajay Kumar from IISER Pune, India, will take us on a journey to the depths of the Earth’s lithosphere – a world as mysterious as the farthest reaches of the Universe. We will see what the thickness of the Earth’s crust can tell us about the balance between the ...[Read More]

The Tectonic Memory of the Mantle

Robert Marks and edited by Gokul V.S. December 7, 2022

A cross section through the optimised mantle convection model of Müller et al. 2022, showing non-dimensional temperature anomalies through the mantle underneath South America along the 10° south parallel.

The study of the mantle aids in our understanding of the Earth’s tectonic evolution. In this week’s news and views, honours student Mr. Robert Marks shares his thoughts. Mr. Marks received his Bachelors (Hons) degree from the University of Wollongong under the supervision of Dr Nicolas Flament. The Earth’s mantle is filled with subducted slabs, which are remnants of tectonic plates tha ...[Read More]

Plate tectonics from a perspective of continental crustal growth

Hee Choi and edited by Arushi Saxena July 28, 2021

An illustration of what we know about plate tectonics on Earth by Hee Choi.

Understanding the plate tectonics initiation can give us incredible opportunity to guess the physical state of the early Earth. This week, Hee Choi, a Ph.D. candidate, takes us on a journey on initiation of plate tectonics and how continental crustal growth is related to it. Our planet Earth is the only place where plate tectonics takes place. No other planet or rocky moon in our solar system has ...[Read More]