All articles tagged with #tectonic plate
Scientists have discovered a mysterious 'phantom' mantle plume beneath Oman, called the Dani plume, which influences regional land uplift and may have played a role in the movement of the Indian tectonic plate and the formation of the Himalayas. This unique, heat-rich structure challenges existing models of Earth's internal processes and suggests the mantle may be more active and complex than previously thought.
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.