Reconstruction Models
Edit on GitHubThe 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.
A list of model names can be found at https://gws.gplates.org/info/model_names and you can find the details about these models at https://gws.gplates.org/info/models.
MULLER2022
This model is based on MERDITH2021 for relative plate motions but uses a mantle reference frame that orients the plates relative to the mantle using a set of geodynamic rules to exclude geodynamically unreasonable plate motions. The difference between the paleomagnetic and mantle reference frames grows cumulatively back in time – hence the two reconstructions (MERDITH2021 versus MULLER2022) diverge progressively in the Paleozoic and Proterozoic both in terms of paleolatitude and paleolongitude.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Static Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 1000 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Müller, R. D., Flament, N., Cannon, J., Tetley, M. G., Williams, S. E., Cao, X., Bodur, Ö. F., Zahirovic, S., and Merdith, A.: A tectonic-rules-based mantle reference frame since 1 billion years ago – implications for supercontinent cycles and plate–mantle system evolution, Solid Earth, 13, 1127–1159, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1127-2022, 2022.
Data:
https://earthbyte.org/webdav/ftp/Data_Collections/Muller_etal_2022_SE/
MERDITH2021
This plate model for the last 1000 Ma is based on a paleomagnetic reference frame. In this model the longitudinal positions of the plates are unconstrained, due to the radial symmetry of the Earth's magnetic field. It is broadly based on a modified combination of MULLER2016 for the last 230 Ma, the MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref model for 250-410 Ma and a newly constructed model for earlier times.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Static Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 1000 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Andrew S. Merdith, Simon E. Williams, Alan S. Collins, Michael G. Tetley, Jacob A. Mulder, Morgan L. Blades, Alexander Young, Sheree E. Armistead, John Cannon, Sabin Zahirovic, R. Dietmar Müller, (2021). Extending full-plate tectonic models into deep time: Linking the Neoproterozoic and the Phanerozoic, Earth-Science Reviews, Volume 214, 2021, 103477, ISSN 0012-8252, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103477.
Data:
http://www.earthbyte.org/webdav/ftp/Data_Collections/Merdith_etal_2021_ESR/
MULLER2019
This plate model for the last 250 Ma is based on a mantle reference frame, ie it orients the plates relative to the mantle using a set of geodynamic rules to exclude geodynamically unreasonable plate motions, which typically result from models based on paleomagnetic data. The model also includes continental deformation both along major rift systems and collisional plate boundary zones.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Static Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 250 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Müller, R. D., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S. E., Cannon, J., Seton, M., Bower, D. J., Tetley, M. G., Heine, C., Le Breton, E., Liu, S., Russell, S. H. J., Yang, T., Leonard, J., and Gurnis, M. (2019), A global plate model including lithospheric deformation along major rifts and orogens since the Triassic. Tectonics, vol. 38, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018TC005462.
Data:
MULLER2016
This model represents an update of the SETON2012 model, both in terms of relative and absolute plate motions. The absolute reference used is based on the same hotspot model for the last 100 Ma as used in SETON2012, and a true-polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model for 230 to 100 Ma, with an added 10 deg longitudinal correction for the time period from 100-230 Ma in an attempt to minimise geodynamically unreasonable longitudinal plate motions, resulting in a modified mantle reference frame.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 230 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Müller, R.D., Seton, M., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S.E., Matthews, K.J., Wright, N.M., Shephard, G.E., Maloney, K.T., Barnett-Moore, N., Hosseinpour, M., Bower, D.J., Cannon, J., 2016, Ocean basin evolution and global-scale plate reorganization events since Pangea breakup: Annual Reviews of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Vol 44, 107-138
Data:
MATTHEWS2016_mantle_ref
This model is identical to MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref in terms of relative plate models but uses a true polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model, viewed as a proxy for a mantle reference frame model.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 410 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Matthews, K.J., Maloney, K.T., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S.E., Seton, M., and Müller, R.D. 2016, Global plate boundary evolution and kinematics since the late Paleozoic : Global and Planetary Change, Vol 146, 226-250.
Data:
http://www.earthbyte.org/global-plate-boundary-evolution-and-kinematics-since-the-late-paleozoic/
MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref
This plate model represents the first continuous late Paleozoic to present-day global plate model with evolving plate boundaries, building on and extending two previously published models for the late Paleozoic (410–250 Ma) (Domeier and Torsvik, 2014 ) and the MULLER2016 model Mesozoic-Cenozoic (230–0 Ma). The model was designed for continuity during the 250–230 Ma transition period between the two models, used an updated absolute reference frame of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic model and added a new Paleozoic reconstruction for the Baltica-derived Alexander Terrane, now accreted to western North America.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 410 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Matthews, K.J., Maloney, K.T., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S.E., Seton, M., and Müller, R.D. 2016, Global plate boundary evolution and kinematics since the late Paleozoic : Global and Planetary Change, Vol 146, 226-250.
Data:
http://www.earthbyte.org/global-plate-boundary-evolution-and-kinematics-since-the-late-paleozoic/
RODINIA2013
Rodinia model from Precambrian Research
Available layers: [Coastlines]
Timespan: [530 - 1100 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
- https://gws.gplates.org/reconstruct/reconstruct_points/?points=23,-6,127,-21&time=540&model=RODINIA2013
- https://gws.gplates.org/reconstruct/coastlines/?time=540&model=RODINIA2013
Note: The RODINIA2013 model starts at 540Ma.
SETON2012 (default model)
This model represents the first global plate model with topological plate boundaries. It is based on a hybrid reference frame hybrid absolute reference frame, based on a moving hotspot model for the last 100 Ma, and a true-polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model for 200 to 100 Ma. This combination of absolute reference frames is viewed as a proxy for a mantle reference frame model.
Available layers: [Coastlines | Topological Plate Polygons]
Timespan: [0 - 200 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Reference:
Seton, M., Müller, R., Zahirovic, S., Gaina, C., Torsvik, T., Shephard, G., Talsma, A., Gurnis, M., Turner, M., Maus, S., and Chandler, M., 2012, Global continental and ocean basin reconstructions since 200 Ma: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 113, no. 3-4, p. 212-270.
Data:
http://www.earthbyte.org/global-continental-and-ocean-basin-reconstructions-since-200-ma/
GOLONKA
Available layers: [Coastlines]
Timespan: [0 - 550 Ma]
More information:
Examples:
Note: The GOLONKA model currently does not work for any present-day ocean point.
PALEOMAP
Scotese (2016) PALEOMAP reconstructions
Available layers: [Coastlines]
Timespan: [0 - 1100 Ma]
More information:
Examples: