Reconstruction Models

The list below describes the plate tectonic reconstruction models that are available within the GPlates Web Service.

All models by default comprise a minimum of a rotation model and a set of static polygons. The availability of other components varies between different models. Models also vary in the range of geological time that they cover.

The more information about a list of EarthByte global and regional plate motion models can be found at https://www.earthbyte.org/category/resources/data-models/global-regional-plate-motion-models/. Not all models have been included in this web service.

The examples will get the reconstructed coordinates at 140Ma, except model RODINIA2013. The example of RODINIA2013 model will get the reconstructed coordinates at 540Ma.

A list of model names can be found at https://gws.gplates.org/list/model_names and you can find the details about these models at https://gws.gplates.org/list/models.

MERDITH2021

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Static Plate Polygons]
• Timespan: [0 - 1000 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

MULLER2019

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Static Plate Polygons]
• Timespan: [0 - 1100 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

MULLER2016

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
• Timespan: [0 - 230 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

MATTHEWS2016_mantle_ref

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
• Timespan: [0 - 410 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
• Timespan: [0 - 410 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

RODINIA2013

• Available Layers: [Coastlines]
• Timespan: [530 - 1100 Ma]
• More Info
• Example
• Note: The example for RODINIA2013 will get reconstructed coordinates at 540Ma.

SETON2012 (default model)

• Available Layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons | Isochrons]
• Timespan: [0 - 200 Ma]
• More Info
• Example

GOLONKA

• Available Layers: [Coastlines]
• Timespan: [0 - 550 Ma]
• More Info
• Example
• Note: The GOLONKA model currently won’t work for any present-day ocean point.

PALEOMAP

• Available Layers: [Coastlines]
• Timespan: [0 - 750 Ma]
• More Info
• Example