Publication Date:
2017-04-04
Description:
We re-evaluate the possibility that Earth's rotation contributes to plate tectonics on the basis of the following
observations: 1) plates move along a westerly polarized flow that forms an angle relative to the equator close
to the revolution plane of the Moon; 2) plate boundaries are asymmetric, being their geographic polarity
the first order controlling parameter; unlike recent analysis, the slab dip is confirmed to be steeper along
W-directed subduction zones; 3) the global seismicity depends on latitude and correlates with the decadal
oscillations of the excess length of day (LOD); 4) the Earth's deceleration supplies energy to plate tectonics
comparable to the computed budget dissipated by the deformation processes; 5) the Gutenberg–Richter
law supports that the whole lithosphere is a self-organized system in critical state, i.e., a force is acting
contemporaneously on all the plates and distributes the energy over the whole lithospheric shell, a
condition that can be satisfied by a force acting at the astronomical scale.
Assuming an ultra-low viscosity layer in the upper asthenosphere, the horizontal component of the tidal
oscillation and torque would be able to slowly shift the lithosphere relative to the mantle.
Description:
Hungarian Scientific
Research Fund OTKA in the framework of project K 60394
Description:
Published
Description:
60-73
Description:
3.3. Geodinamica e struttura dell'interno della Terra
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
reserved
Keywords:
Plate tectonics
;
Earth's rotation
;
Tidal despinning
;
Earth's energy budget
;
04. Solid Earth::04.07. Tectonophysics::04.07.02. Geodynamics
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
