Plate tectonics in the twenty-first century

Plate tectonics was originally established as a kinematic theory of global tectonics, in which the Earth’s rigid outer layer, lithosphere, consists different size plates that move relative to each other along divergent, convergent or transform boundaries overlying ductile asthenosphere. It comprises three elements: lithosphere plates, asthenosphere, and coupled movement systems. operates through interlinked processes continental drift, seafloor spreading lithospheric subduction, resulting generation, modification demise lithospheres throughout geological time. The system horizontal vertical movements forms spatiotemporal linkages matter energy between surface interior Earth, advancing with dynamic explanation. While top-down subduction plays key role operation plate it is balanced for conservation both mass momentum on spherical Earth by bottom-up asthenospheric upwelling yield after breakup. gravity-driven cool proceeds convergence two one side, rollback subducting slab makes vacancy hotter asthenosphere form active rifting backarc sites. divergence mid-ocean ridges inducing passive remote effect. Thus, recognizable rock records produced tectonic divergent margins. Although fossil suture zones may result breakup, only induced gravitational pull oceanic side. Therefore, onset are associated series divergent-convergent coupling systems, they critically dependent whether construction destruction would have achieved maintained Earth. margins experience types deformation, metamorphism magmatism during their divergence, strike-slip, leaving various plates. After convergence, thickened intracontinental regions be thinned foundering. This causes reactivate superimposition record at previous likely since Eoarchean, has led heat loss secular cooling mantle, decrease geothermal gradients increase rheological strength Modern characterized predominance cold prevailed Phanerozoic. In contrast, ancient Archean Proterozoic, dominated relatively collisional thickening forearc depths then warm subarc depths. either period, breakup must time space, otherwise impossible tectonics. this context, creation maintenance systems responsible respectively. network mobile belts common major modern difficult find its early if microplates prevail case, important identify order discriminate styles periods history.