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PLATES Project

PLATES logo thumbnail

The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) PLATES program was dedicated to the research of plate tectonics and geologic reconstructions. The project was supported by a consortium of industry associates. The primary objectives included:

  • To model past and present plate movement. Construct accurate, high-resolution global, regional or local plate models.
  • To compile comprehensive databases. Apply geographical, geological, and geophysical data to plate models.
  • To develop plate motion computer software. Manipulate and display plate models, reconstructions, and databases.
  • To apply plate motion models. use models to examine geological problems of global and regional extent.

Download PLATES plate reconstructions, images, more images, data and bibliographies.

The Work

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 maintained 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 until fall, 2020. 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.

The Team

PLATES scientists include Lawrence Lawver, Ian Dalziel and Ian Norton. Lawver’s research areas include the tectonics of the Arctic/Antarctic polar regions. Lawver also supervises the work done by PLATES students on the tectonic evolution of East and Southeast Asia. Dalziel focuses on Pre-Cambrian tectonics as well as the tectonics of Antarctica. Norton’s focus is on understanding the structural evolution of continental margins, particularly trying to reconcile deformation amounts that can be predicted from regional-scale plate reconstructions with deformation that can be inferred from local-scale structural data. For more information on the project, contact us.

PLATES is UTIG’s oldest industrial consortium, and has had support in the past from Apache, BP, BHP, Chevron, Equinor, Elf Aquatine, Exxon, Hess, Mobil, Norsk Hydro, Hess, Saga, Shell, Statoil, Total, and Unocal, among others, including some companies that have now merged.

Collaborative Efforts

PLATES researchers and students have a long history of collaboration with researchers outside of UTIG. Various scientific publications describe PLATES project results.

  • Tectonics Special Research Centre, University of Western Australia
  • The South Atlantic Project (a collaborative effort with CASP; Centro de Investigaciones Geologicas, La Plata, Argentina; Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen; and Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh)
  • To obtain an “AGE OF THE OCEAN FLOOR POSTER”, see the NOAA announcement
  • A Global Isochron Chart (University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Technical Report No. 117, 1992; PDF file).

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