Multiagent simulation of evolutive plate tectonics applied to the thermal evolution of the Earth
Manuel CombesCécile GrignéLaurent HussonClinton P. ConradSébastien Le YaouanqMarc ParenthoënChantal TisseauJacques Tisseau
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Abstract:
The feedback between plate tectonics and mantle convection controls the Earth's thermal evolution via the seafloor age distribution. We therefore designed the MACMA model to simulate time‐dependent plate tectonics in a 2D cylindrical geometry with evolutive plate boundaries, based on multiagent systems that express thermal and mechanical interactions. We compute plate velocities using a local force balance and use explicit parameterizations to treat tectonic processes such as trench migration, subduction initiation, continental breakup and plate suturing. These implementations allow the model to update its geometry and thermal state at all times. Our approach has two goals: (1) to test how empirically‐ and analytically‐determined rules for surface processes affect mantle and plate dynamics, and (2) to investigate how plate tectonics impact the thermal regime. Our predictions for driving forces, plate velocities and heat flux are in agreement with independent observations. Two time scales arise for the evolution of the heat flux: a linear long‐term decrease and high‐amplitude short‐term fluctuations due to surface tectonics. We also obtain a plausible thermal history, with mantle temperature decreasing by less than 200 K over the last 3 Gyr. In addition, we show that on the long term, mantle viscosity is less thermally influential than tectonic processes such as continental breakup or subduction initiation, because Earth's cooling rate depends mainly on its ability to replace old insulating seafloor by young thin oceanic lithosphere. We infer that simple convective considerations alone cannot account for the nature of mantle heat loss and that tectonic processes dictate the thermal evolution of the Earth.Keywords:
Seafloor Spreading
Continental drift
Continental drift
Convergent boundary
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Seafloor Spreading
Continental drift
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The general theme of this publication is the assessment and reassessment of various data, observations, and ideas about the earth as they relate to the concept that has come to be known as plate tectonics. Much widely scattered material was brought together for this publication, and its 24 papers contain an abundance of worldwide references that are important in studying plate tectonics.
Theme (computing)
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The advent of the plate tectonics theory ~ 50 years ago has revolutionized Earth Science thinking and provided a solid framework for understanding how the Earth works. The observations and statistics by Forsyth & Uyeda (1975) showed the subducting slab pull to be the primary force driving seafloor spreading. This driving force readily explains the Pacific type seafloor spreading connected to subduction zones but is not straightforward to explain the Atlantic type seafloor spreading and continental drift. This has led to the general perception that “we still don’t know what drives plate tectonics
Seafloor Spreading
Continental drift
Solid earth
Slab
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Numerical models of mantle convection are starting to reproduce many of the essential features of continental drift and plate tectonics. The authors show how such methods can integrate a wide variety of geophysical and geological observations. The goal is to combine the Stokes and energy equations with a realistic rheology, thereby letting us understand the complex dynamic coupling that occurs in the mantle and that gives rise to plate tectonics and other surface features. This approach holds great promise because it makes a tremendous amount of data relevant to understanding Earth's dynamics. The challenge is that the computational models must be inherently realistic, particularly when predicting observed geography or plate history, so that the models can be connected with observations. The authors view this as one of the most exciting future directions of computational geodynamics.
geodynamics
Continental drift
Numerical models
Ocean surface topography
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The general theme of this publication is the assessment and reassessment of various data, observations, and ideas about the earth as they relate to the concept that has come to be known as plate tectonics. Much widely scattered material was brought together for this publication, and its 24 papers contain an abundance of worldwide references that are important in studying plate tectonics.
Theme (computing)
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Seafloor Spreading
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Continental drift
Hotspot (geology)
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