Subduction controls the distribution and fragmentation of Earth’s tectonic plates

Claire Mallard (), Nicolas Coltice, Maria Seton, R. Dietmar Müller and Paul J. Tackley
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Claire Mallard: Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure, UMR 5276 CNRS, Université de Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
Nicolas Coltice: Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure, UMR 5276 CNRS, Université de Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
Maria Seton: EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Building F09, University of Sydney
R. Dietmar Müller: EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Building F09, University of Sydney
Paul J. Tackley: Institute of Geophysics

Nature, 2016, vol. 535, issue 7610, 140-143

Abstract: Computer models of mantle convection with plate-like behaviour are used to demonstrate that the size–frequency distribution of tectonic plates on Earth is controlled by subduction geometry—the spacing between subducting slabs controls the layout of large plates, and the stresses caused by the bending of trenches break plates into smaller fragments.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/nature17992

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