Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • News & Views
  • Published:

Tectonics

Microplate motion

The fragmentation of continents at convergent plate boundaries is thought to be influenced by the subducting lithosphere. Numerical modelling suggests that instead, the forces exerted by the underlying mantle can drive the formation of continental microplates.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: The formation of microplates at the margin of East Gondwana.

References

  1. Collins, W. J. Tectonics 21, 1024 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Rey, P. F. & Müller, R. D. Nature Geosci. 3, 257–261 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Siddoway, C. S. in Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World: Proc. 10th Int. Symp. Antarctic Earth Sciences (eds Cooper, A. K. et al.) 91–114 (National Academies, 2008).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bryan, S. E., Ewart, A., Stephens, C. J., Parianos, J. & Downes, P. J. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 99, 55–78 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bialas, R. W., Buck, W. R., Studinger, M. & Fitzgerald, P. G. Geology 35, 687–690 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Coney, P. J., Jones, D. L. & Monger, J. W. H. Nature 288, 329–333 (1980).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Schettino, A. & Scotese, C. in Reconstruction of the Evolution of the Alpine-Himalayan Orogen (eds Rosenbaum, G. & Lister, G.) J. Virtual Explorer 8, 10.3809/jvirtex.2002.00056 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Johnston, S. T. & Borel, G. D. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 253, 415–428 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Snoke, A. W. & Barnes, C. G. in The Development of Tectonic Concepts for the Klamath Mountains Province, California and Oregon (eds Snoke, A. W. & Barnes, C. G.) 1–29 (GSA Special Paper 410, GSA, 2006).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Nance, R. D. & Linneman, U. GSA Today 18, 4–12 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Siddoway, C. Microplate motion. Nature Geosci 3, 225–226 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo835

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo835

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing AI and Robotics

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: AI and Robotics newsletter — what matters in AI and robotics research, free to your inbox weekly.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing: AI and Robotics