Length of the global plate boundary at 2.4 Ga

Research Article| January 01, 1990 Length of the global plate boundary at 2.4 Ga Dallas Abbott; Dallas Abbott 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William Menke William Menke 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1990) 18 (1): 58–61. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0058:LOTGPB>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Dallas Abbott, William Menke; Length of the global plate boundary at 2.4 Ga. Geology 1990;; 18 (1): 58–61. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0058:LOTGPB>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Phanerozoic data show that during continental dispersal the total length of the global plate boundary is directly related to the size distribution and the surface area of continental fragments. We use this observation to test theories about the length of ancient plate boundaries and how the increased mantle heat production in the Precambrian was manifested by the crust. Using Monte Carlo simulations of plate boundaries on a sphere, we calculate estimates of global plate-boundary length. For the present-day continents and plates, the mean plate-boundary lengths are within 1% of each other; 3.40 x 105 km and 3.43 x 105 km. From the size distribution and normalized area of Archean cratons, estimates of the length of plate boundary at 2.4 Ga range from ≤1.7 to 2.7 times the present length; the preferred mean value is 2.2 times the present length. This result favors a model of sea-floor tectonics in which global plate velocities and sea-floor spreading rates were about 16% slower than at present, and in which the oceanic crust was more than 20 km thick. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.