https://phys.org/news/2024-05-modern-plate-tectonics-due-blobs.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 176 * Twit * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Earth 3. Earth Sciences * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- May 8, 2024 report Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Computer models suggest modern plate tectonics are due to blobs left behind by cosmic collision by Bob Yirka , Phys.org Computer models suggest modern plate tectonics are due to blobs left behind by cosmic collision Temporal evolution for the viscosity (upper row) and compositional (lower row) field of the 3D reference case showing LLSVP-sourced plume-induced subduction initiation. (a-) Model snapshots at 0 Myr (a), 104 Myr (b), 108 Myr (c), and 111 Myr (d), respectively. Credit: Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL106723 A small team of geologists and seismologists at the California Institute of Technology has found evidence via computer modeling that suggest giant blobs of material near the Earth's core, believed to have been created by a cosmic collision 4.5 billion years ago, may be responsible for modern plate tectonics. In their study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters , the group used existing data on the blobs, known more technically as large, low-velocity provinces (LLVPs), and used it to create computer simulations and models showing their impact on the Earth over long time scales. In the 1980s, geophysicists discovered what they described as giant blobs of unknown material near Earth's center--one below the Pacific Ocean, the other below parts of Africa. Then, last year, another team found evidence that the blobs (LLVPs) are remnants of Theia, a planet that struck the Earth 4.5 billion years ago. The rest of the debris from the collision, theory suggests, coalesced in Earth's orbit, forming the moon. For this new study, the team in California used computer models to show what sort of impact the LLVPs may have had on the Earth's crust over the past millions of years, and report evidence that they may be responsible for modern plate tectonics. Data for the models came from seismic readings that have shown the LLVPs are made up of different material than either the core or mantle. After some tweaking, the models showed that approximately 200 million years after Theia struck the Earth, pressure from the LLVPs led to the creation of hot plumes stretching from near the core to the surface. That caused some sections of the surface to sink, which led to subduction. Subduction eventually led to the breaks in the surface that today serve as borders for tectonic plates. The researchers suggest their models may explain why some of the oldest minerals on Earth show evidence of subduction. More information: Qian Yuan et al, A Giant Impact Origin for the First Subduction on Earth, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL106723 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters (c) 2024 Science X Network Citation: Computer models suggest modern plate tectonics are due to blobs left behind by cosmic collision (2024, May 8) retrieved 10 May 2024 from https://phys.org/news/ 2024-05-modern-plate-tectonics-due-blobs.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Is some of the body that collided with Earth to form the moon still recognizable inside our planet? --------------------------------------------------------------------- 179 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Life expectancy study reveals longest and shortest-lived cats 6 hours ago 1 Genetic study of cauliflower reveals its evolutionary history 7 hours ago 1 Elephants use gestures and vocal cues when greeting each other, study reports 10 hours ago 0 Likely ancestor of all modern hoofed animals identified May 9, 2024 0 Research investigates the environment of globular cluster NGC 6355 May 9, 2024 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Scientists unlock key to breeding 'carbon gobbling' plants with a major appetite 5 hours ago [gif] Clues from deep magma reservoirs could improve volcanic eruption forecasts 5 hours ago [gif] Study shows AI conversational agents can help reduce interethnic prejudice during online interactions 5 hours ago [gif] NASA's Chandra notices the galactic center is venting 5 hours ago [gif] Wildfires in old-growth Amazon forest areas rose 152% in 2023, study shows 6 hours ago [gif] GoT-ChA: New tool reveals how gene mutations affect cells 6 hours ago [gif] Accelerating material characterization: Machine learning meets X-ray absorption spectroscopy 6 hours ago [gif] Life expectancy study reveals longest and shortest-lived cats 6 hours ago [gif] New research shows microevolution can be used to predict how evolution works on much longer timescales 7 hours ago [gif] Stable magnetic bundles achieved at room temperature and zero magnetic field 7 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts The Secrets of Prof. Verschure's Rosetta Stones May 9, 2024 A very puzzling rock or a pallasite / mesmosiderite or a nothing burger May 8, 2024 M 4.8 - Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, US May 8, 2024 What is global warming due to? May 8, 2024 Large eruption at Ruang volcano, Indonesia May 2, 2024 Tidal friction and global warming Apr 20, 2024 More from Earth Sciences --------------------------------------------------------------------- [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Is some of the body that collided with Earth to form the moon still recognizable inside our planet? Nov 12, 2023 [gif] Huge 'blobs' inside Earth are from another planet, study suggests Nov 4, 2023 [gif] New theory suggests large blobs of material in Earth's mantle are remnants of protoplanet Theia Mar 26, 2021 [gif] Massive anomaly within Earth's mantle may be remnant of collision that formed moon Nov 1, 2023 [gif] Closer to Earth: A new technique for examining ultralow velocity zones at Earth's core-mantle boundary Apr 1, 2024 [gif] Volcanoes, diamonds, and blobs: A billion-year history of Earth's interior shows it's more mobile than we thought Mar 31, 2022 * Recommended for you [gif] Clues from deep magma reservoirs could improve volcanic eruption forecasts 5 hours ago [gif] Wildfires in old-growth Amazon forest areas rose 152% in 2023, study shows 6 hours ago [gif] Improved wildfire smoke model identifies areas for public health intervention May 9, 2024 [gif] Unearthing the impacts of hydrological sensitivity on global rainfall May 9, 2024 [gif] Every drop counts: New algorithm tracks Texas's daily reservoir evaporation rates May 8, 2024 [gif] Study suggests heavy snowfall and rain may contribute to some earthquakes May 8, 2024 Load comments (4) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Computer models suggest modern plate tectonics are due to blobs left behind by cosmic collision Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2024 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast