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Pontus Plate

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earth-science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Resurrected: Ancient Mega-Plate's Ghostly Return Stuns Scientists"

Scientists have rediscovered a long-lost tectonic plate, known as the Pontus plate, that disappeared 20 million years ago. The plate, once a quarter of the size of the Pacific Ocean, was found through rock fragments in Borneo and remnants detected in Earth's mantle. The discovery was made while studying the Pacific plate, and the researchers noticed a discrepancy in the latitude of the rocks collected in Borneo. Computer models revealed that the Pontus plate occupied a previously unknown gap between South China and Borneo. The plate formed at least 160 million years ago and eventually shrank before disappearing under the Australian and Chinese plates.

via Space.com|

#borneo #earth-science #pontus-plate

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"20-million-year-old missing piece of Earth found after being lost"

Scientists at Utrecht University have discovered a previously unknown tectonic plate called Pontus, which disappeared 20 million years ago. Using tomography, fragments of old tectonic plates were found deep in the Earth's mantle, leading to the suspicion of a massive plate. Further investigation in Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand confirmed the existence of the Pontus plate. Understanding the movement of tectonic plates provides insights into the Earth's geological history and climate changes. The research also revealed a single coherent plate tectonic system stretching from southern Japan to New Zealand, existing for at least 150 million years.

via UNILAD|

#earths-crust #geological-history #pontus-plate

earth-science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Geologist's Surprising Discovery: Remnants of Lost Mega-Plate Unearthed"

Geologist Suzanna van de Lagemaat from Utrecht University has reconstructed a previously unknown tectonic plate called Pontus, which was once one-quarter the size of the Pacific Ocean. Through field research and investigations of mountain belts in various regions, she discovered oceanic remnants on northern Borneo that belonged to the long-suspected plate. Van de Lagemaat's work provides insights into the movements of tectonic plates and the geological history of the Earth, shedding light on paleogeography, climate changes, and the distribution of rare metals. The existence of Pontus was independently demonstrated by her research, confirming a hypothesis made 11 years ago about a large subduction zone in the western paleo-Pacific Ocean.

via Phys.org|

#earth-science #geology #plate-tectonics