Which forces drive North America?

Research Article| November 01, 2002 Which forces drive North America? G.H.R. Bokelmann G.H.R. Bokelmann 1Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2215, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2002) 30 (11): 1027–1030. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<1027:WFDNA>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 13 Sep 2001 rev-recd: 09 Jul 2002 accepted: 16 Jul 2002 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation G.H.R. Bokelmann; Which forces drive North America?. Geology 2002;; 30 (11): 1027–1030. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<1027:WFDNA>2.0.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 Understanding the mechanism of plate tectonics is one of the most important problems in the geosciences. Are the tectonic plates pulled and pushed from the side, as the Orowan-Elsasser model suggests, or does mantle convection play an active role in driving the plates? This question can be addressed by studying the deformation of deep continental roots. The application to North America shown here indicates that the deeper mantle moves at a higher velocity than the North American plate and that the mantle plays an important role in driving the plates. I suggest that this finding (1) provides a natural explanation for why the motion of North America slowed down dramatically during the past 100 m.y. and (2) predicts that North American motion will eventually come to a halt. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.