Plate tectonic accelerations hidden in the noise

Abstract

Iterative filtering of the quaternion history for the Euler poles that define absolute plate motion history for the past 68 million years has revealed an unprecedented precision for plate angular rotation variations with time at 2-million year intervals. These consistent velocity variations yield, in turn, consistent estimates of plate accelerations, and therefore. indicate that conservation of plate angular momentums’ must be globally conserved. Accordingly, if a plate decelerates, other plates must increase their angular momentums to compensate. Plate accelerations support the contention that Plate Tectonics is a product of forces that most likely are sustained by the sinking of positive density anomalies due to phase changes in subducted gabbroic lithosphere at depth in the upper lower mantle. The tectonic plates are pulled along by the sinking positive mass anomalies, rather that moving at near constant velocity on the crests of convection cells driven by rising heat. In this interpretation, spreading centers become passive reactive features, and fracture zones (and wedge-shaped sites of seafloor spreading) are adjustment zones that relieve strains in the lithosphere. This report summarizes processing results for 12 of the 14 major tectonic plates of the Earth (except for the Juan de Fuca and Philippine Plates) and presents estimates of the changes in magnitude and location of the Earth’s axis of total plate tectonic angular momentum for the past 62 million years.