The models show how the continents were assembled. Compared to existing models, it improves the correlation between observed earthquakes and volcanoes in deformation zones and microplates. Dr. Derrick Hasterok, a lecturer in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Adelaide, who led the team that produced the new models, said: “The continents were assembled a few pieces at a time, a bit like a puzzle, but each time the puzzle was finished, they were cut and reorganized to create a new image. “Our study helps to illuminate the various elements, so that geologists can combine the previous images.” “We found that the plate boundary zones represented almost 16 percent of the Earth’s crust and an even higher percentage, 27 percent, of the continents.” “Our new model for tectonic plates better explains the spatial distribution of 90 percent of earthquakes and 80 percent of volcanoes over the last two million years, while existing models record only 65 percent of earthquakes.” Scientists have created three new geological models: a plate model, a province model and an orogeny model. 26 orogenies (mountain building processes) have left their mark on the current architecture of the crust. Many, but not all, of these are associated with the creation of supercontinents. This new work allows scientists to map tectonic plates and the formation of continents. The Macquarie microplate, located in southern Tasmania, and the Capricorn microplate, which separates the Indian and Australian slabs, are among the additional microplates in the revised slab model. Other (accurate) data were added to further enrich the model on the boundaries of the deformation zones: the previous models showed them as distinct areas and not as wide zones. Dr Hasterok said, “The biggest changes to the plate model have taken place in western North America, which often borders the Pacific plate designed as the San Andreas and Queen Charlotte faults. “But the recently demarcated border is much wider, about 1,500km, from the previously narrow narrow zone.” “The other big change is in Central Asia. The new model now includes all the deformation zones in northern India, as the slab is bulldozed to Eurasia. “Our new model for tectonic plates better explains the spatial distribution of 90 percent of earthquakes and 80 percent of volcanoes over the last two million years, while existing models record only 65 percent of earthquakes.” “The slab model can be used to improve geo-hazard models. the orogeny model helps to understand the geodynamic systems and the best model of the evolution of the Earth, and the model of the province can be used to improve the search for minerals “. Magazine report:
