Lost tectonic plates in Earth’s mantle and Deep Time Earth history
Over time, oceanic plates are subducted and lost from Earth’s surface but may be visible within Earth’s mantle from seismic tomography. We develop novel approaches to map and structurally restore lost tectonic plates seen in seismic tomography images of Earth’s mantle.
Our novel ‘tomographic’ plate reconstructions allow unique insights on Earth’s past, including:
- paleoclimate
- patterns of volcanic eruptions
- dynamic topography and,
- True Polar Wander, the movement of the entire solid Earth relative to its spin axis.
Selected media coverage: Newsweek, Ars Technica, Nature News & Views, Nazca板块-构造重建与安第斯边缘演化
We investigate the 4D structural evolution of fault systems and sedimentary basins to support the Energy Transition. Typical datasets and techniques include subsurface mapping, interpretation of geophysical imagery, structural restorations, machine learning, and analog ‘sandbox’ modeling. Past work includes basin-structural analysis in Thailand and the South China Sea. New projects aimed at sustainable energy are in development.
North America Cordilleran tectonics
This relatively new research direction is inspired by the research and PhD thesis of recent PhD graduate Spencer Fuston, and by our interactions with the generous community of experts that gathered at the 2023 GSA Penrose meeting. Watch this space for new developments.
East Asian geodynamics
Asia is formed of a complex network of tectonic blocks, sutures, arcs, and sedimentary basins that have unsolved tectonic and geodynamic origins. We collaborate with scientists in the Asian region to decipher tectonic puzzles of areas including the western Pacific, SE Asia, and Russian Far East.