Absolute plate motions since 130 Ma constrained by subduction zone kinematics

Abstract

The absolute motions of the lithospheric plates relative to the Earth's deep interior are commonly constrained using observations from paleomagnetism and age-progressive seamount trails. In contrast, an absolute plate motion (APM) model linking surface plate motions to subducted slab remnants mapped from seismic tomography has recently been proposed. Absolute plate motion models (or "reference frames") derived using different methodologies, different subsets of hotspots, or differing assumptions of hotspot motion, have contrasting implications for parameters that describe the long term state of the plate-mantle system, such as the balance between advance and retreat of subduction zones, plate velocities, and net lithospheric rotation. Previous studies of contemporary plate motions have used subduction zone kinematics as a constraint on the most likely APM model. Here we use a relative plate motion model to compute these values for the last 130 Myr for a range of alternative reference frames, and quantitatively compare the results. We find that hotspot and tomographic slab-remnant reference frames yield similar results for the last 70 Myr. For the 130-70 Ma period, where hotspot reference frames are less well constrained, these models yield a much more dispersed distribution of slab advance and retreat velocities. By contrast, plate motions calculated using the slabremnant reference frame, or using a reference frame designed to minimise net rotation, yield more consistent subduction zone kinematics for times older than 70 Ma. Introducing the global optimisation of trench migration characteristics as a key criterion in the construction of APM models forms the foundation of a new method of constraining APMs (and in particular paleolongitude) in deep geological time. where hotspot reference frames are less well constrained, these models yield a much 31 more dispersed distribution of slab advance and retreat velocities. By contrast, plate 32 motions calculated using the slab--remnant reference frame, or using a reference frame 33 designed to minimise net rotation, yield more consistent subduction zone kinematics for 34 times older than 70 Ma. Introducing the global optimisation of trench migration 35 characteristics as a key criterion in the construction of APM models forms the 36 foundation of a new method of constraining APMs (and in particular paleolongitude) in 37 deep geological time. 38 39 3 40

Subduction-transition zone interaction: A review

“…This is true irrespective of the hotspot reference frame used, but an Indo-Atlantic or global hotspot reference frame is most consistent with slab shapes and dynamic considerations Goes et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2015). Most trench motions are between -1 cm/yr (advancing) and +2 cm/yr (retreating) (Williams et al, 2015), and, on average, trench retreat accounts for ~10% of the convergence velocities (Goes et al, 2011). Some trenches retreated significantly faster (motions up to 10 cm/yr) during part of the Cenozoic (Tonga, Izu-Bonin, Japan, and Calabria).…”

“…The large majority of trenches (~70% of the segments throughout the Ceno zoic) retreat (Sdrolias and Müller, 2006;Müller et al, 2008;Schellart et al, 2008;Goes et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2015). This is true irrespective of the hotspot reference frame used, but an Indo-Atlantic or global hotspot reference frame is most consistent with slab shapes and dynamic considerations Goes et al, 2011;Williams et al, 2015).…”

Toward a generalized plate motion reference frame

“…This prompted Schellart et al [] to further evaluate different hot spot reference frames in terms of their predictions for trench motions, leading them to favor the frame of O'Neill et al [] based on a slab dynamics argument. Williams et al [] evaluated the time dependence of the spread of trench retreat/advance statistics over the Cenozoic and explored if those can serve to constrain reference frames.…”

The ups and downs of North America: Evaluating the role of mantle dynamic topography since the Mesozoic

“…Furthermore, there are still considerable amounts of uncertainties among the different reconstructions of past plate motion, especially for the Mesozoic periods [e.g., Shephard et al ., ]. One such example is the Mesozoic‐Cenozoic motion of the Pacific plate, where different reference frames result in different speeds and directions of the Pacific Plate prior to the formation of the Emperor‐Hawaii bend during early Eocene along the hot spot track [ Lithgow‐Bertelloni and Richards , ; Steinberger , ; Müller et al ., ; Seton et al ., ; Williams et al ., ]. Another example is uncertainties caused by the inference on already subducted seafloors, such as the Cretaceous Kula Plate [ Bunge and Grand , ] and Farallon Plate [ Sigloch and Mihalynuk , ; Liu , ]. Geological proxies.…”