DECONSTRUCTING TECTONICS

The configuration of continents and oceans of our tectonically-active planet is ever-changing. We created computer-generated animations that dynamically illustrate key elements of plate tectonics. A new large baseset of paleogeographic maps, based on decades of plate tectonics and paleogeographic research, is used to produce animations on a paleoglobe illustrating: Continental Rifting, Continental Breakup, Ocean Ridges and Fracture Zones, Hotspot Tracks, Arc-Backarc Systems, Continental Collision, Terrane Accretion, Opening-Closing of Ocean Basins, Supercontinent Formation, Plate Velocities, and Future Earth. Each animation is supported by a narrative that offers a topical overview, some observations to guide a user’s exploration, and key references. An enhanced Google Earth Web module, GeoExplorations: Deconstructing Tectonics, allows users to view and manipulate paleogeographic maps as 3D paleoglobes (at https://bit.ly/2WQV4BL). The animations and GeoExplorations module are free for educational use.