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Global tectonics and space geodesy.

R G Gordon, S Stein

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |April 17, 1992
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Plate tectonics research reveals that wide plate boundary zones, covering 15% of Earth's surface, exhibit motion similar to narrow boundaries. Space geodesy confirms long-term plate velocities match current measurements.

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    Area of Science:

    • Geophysics and Tectonics
    • Earth Science
    • Geodesy

    Background:

    • Plate tectonics theory relies on data from narrow plate boundaries (1-60 km wide).
    • However, wide plate boundary zones (hundreds to thousands of km wide) are prevalent, covering ~15% of Earth's surface.
    • Understanding motion in these wide zones is crucial for a complete tectonic model.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the motion and deformation within wide plate boundary zones.
    • To compare present-day velocities measured by space geodesy with long-term geological estimates.
    • To assess the validity of plate tectonic principles in areas with diffuse deformation.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized space geodesy techniques, including very long baseline radio interferometry (VLBI), satellite laser ranging (SLR), and the Global Positioning System (GPS).

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  • Collected accurate, long-distance measurements to determine motion rates and directions.
  • Analyzed geodetic data to estimate present-day velocities across and within wide plate boundary zones.

    • Main Results:

    • Space geodetic data provide precise measurements of motion across wide plate boundary zones.
    • Velocities averaged over years from space geodetic measurements are remarkably similar to velocities averaged over millions of years.
    • This indicates that deformation in wide zones is consistent over geological timescales.

    Conclusions:

    • Wide plate boundary zones accommodate significant plate motion, similar to narrow boundaries.
    • Space geodesy is a powerful tool for studying tectonic plate dynamics in complex regions.
    • The findings support the robustness of plate tectonic theory even in areas with diffuse boundaries.