Computer animation of Phanerozoic plate motions

摘要: Since 1985, the PALEOMAP Project, in collaboration with research groups both US and abroad, has assembled a digital model that describes global plate motions during last 600 million years. In this paper authors present series of computer animations dynamically illustrates movement continents terranes, evolution ocean basins since breakup late Precambrian supercontinent. These depict motion plates from equatorial polar perspectives. Mesozoic Cenozoic tectonic reconstructions are based on synthesis linear magnetic anomalies, fracture zone locations, intracontinental rifts, collision thrust belts, zones strike-slip. Paleozoic reconstructions, though more speculative, evidence past subduction, continental collision, inferred sea floor spreading. The relative longitudinal positions width intervening oceans have been adjusted to best explain changing biogeographic paleoclimatic patterns. A new paleomagnetic/hot spot reference frame constructed combines paleomagnetic data compiled by Rob Van der Voo (1992) fixed hot spots. Using probable Early tracks major continents,more » extended back 400 years.« less