Geodynamics of a global plate reorganization from topological data analysis

Earth's lithosphere is fragmented into tectonic plates that move relative to each other and the mantle, following a dynamic equilibrium that evolves over time. Sporadically, abrupt kinematic changes occur that typically lead to regional-scale plate reconfigurations, and hypothetically to global-scale events, affecting the motion of all major plates. Identifying and understanding such global plate reorganizations has proven challenging because of the geometric nature of plate tectonic theory and the scarcity of preserved kinematic changes. Here we combine Earth-like global mantle convection with topological data analysis to show that global plate reorganization events can emerge from mantle-lithosphere interactions. Unlike regional changes, during these rare global events, the entire plate network shifts to a new dynamic equilibrium by the formation and destruction of plate boundaries at global scale, affecting the dynamics of the entire mantle. Such events represent transitions between two stable states in the coupled mantle-plates system. Our findings suggest that Earth may have experienced a similar global tectonic reorganization during the mid-Eocene around 47 million years ago. Our new approach provides a quantitative framework to unveil mantle-lithosphere interactions from global geodynamic models.