Breaking Earth's shell into a global plate network.

Nature Communications
C A TangT T Chen

Abstract

The initiation mechanism of Earth's plate tectonic cooling system remains uncertain. A growing consensus suggests that multi-plate tectonics was preceded by cooling through a single-plate lithosphere, but models for how this lithosphere was first broken into plates have not converged on a mechanism or a typical early plate scale. A commonality among prior efforts is the use of continuum mechanics approximations to evaluate this solid mechanics problem. Here we use 3D spherical shell models to demonstrate a self-organized fracture mechanism analogous to thermal expansion-driven lithospheric uplift, in which globe-spanning rifting occurs as a consequence of horizontal extension. Resultant fracture spacing is a function of lithospheric thickness and rheology, wherein geometrically-regular, polygonal-shaped tessellation is an energetically favored solution because it minimizes total crack length. Therefore, warming of the early lithosphere itself-as anticipated by previous studies-should lead to failure, propagating fractures, and the conditions necessary for the onset of multi-plate tectonics.

References

Jun 29, 2006·Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics·C A TangH Y Liu
Sep 27, 2013·Nature·William B Moore, A Alexander G Webb
Apr 11, 2014·Nature·David Bercovici, Yanick Ricard
Sep 19, 2014·Nature·Patrice F ReyNicolas Flament

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
rheology

Software Mentioned

RFPA ( Rock Failure Process Analysis
RFPA 3D ( Rock Failure Process Analysis Code )

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