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The PLATES Project is a program of research into plate tectonic and geologic reconstructions. It is supported by a consortium of oil companies. The project
has four main objectives:
Model past and present plate movement. Construct accurate, high resolution global,
regional or local plate models. Compile comprehensive databases. Apply geographical, geological and geophysical
data to plate models. Develop plate motion computer software. Manipulate and display plate models,
reconstructions, and databases. Apply plate motion models. Use models to examine geological problems of global and
regional extent.
PLATES maintains an up-to-date oceanic magnetic and tectonic database, continuously
adding new paleomagnetic, hot spot, geological and geophysical data to extend the span and accuracy
of global plate reconstructions. PLATES' reconstructions are built around a
comprehensive database of finite-difference poles of rotation, derived both from extensive plate motion research at
UTIG, using the PLATES interactive plate modeling software, and from published studies. Updated
plate motion models are in turn applied to regional tectonic studies by PLATES investigators and
collaborators and by project sponsors. The plate model developed by the PLATES Project
describes the evolution of the earth's oceans and the movement of the earth's tectonic plates from the
Late Precambrian through the present day.
Plate tectonics is a powerful tool for reconstructing (i.e. "predicting")
geological environments through geologic history, particularly if the underlying plate motion model is accurate and
detailed. PLATES tools are especially useful to groups engaged in exploration for hydrocarbons or
minerals on global and regional scales. PLATES reconstructions provide a solid framework on which
to build detailed geological models, such as basin response to regional crustal motion, likely sequences of
depositional paleoenvironment, or probable geothermal consequences of plate position or movement.
PLATES principal investigators are Dr.
Lawrence Lawver and Dr. Ian Dalziel. Dr. Lawver's
research areas include the tectonics of the Arctic/Antarctic polar
regions. Dr. Lawver supervises the work done by PLATES students on the tectonic evolution of East
and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Dalziel focusses on PreCambrian tectonics as well as the tectonics of Antarctica.
Lisa Gahagan is the contact (plates@utig.ig.utexas.edu) for the PLATES Project. She also manages the software and databases.
PLATES researchers and students have a long history of collaboration
with researchers outside of UTIG. Funding for their projects comes from not only PLATES sponsors
but also from the National Science Foundation. Some of the results from the PLATES Project are
described in various publications.
Reconstructions
Below are some examples of plate reconstructions using the PLATES
Project's global plate reconstruction model. Also, check out Ian Dalziel's 1997 GSA Bulletin paper.
Molleweide projection
Orthographic projection (produced October 2008)
The Making of Texas (poster produced in 1999)
Movies
(Start Powerpoint animations by selecting: Slide Show => View Show.
A Powerpoint viewer can be downloaded free from: http://www.microsoft.com/
downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=428D5727-43AB-4F24-90B7-A94784AF71A4&displaylang=en.
Collaborative efforts
Data
Programs
Under construction
To a list of other links on plate tectonics.
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