Unfolding rotational tectonics and topographic evolution from localized verses diffuse plate boundary counterparts. ...

• Main Authors: Kundu, Bhaskar, Zwaan, Frank, Senapati, Batakrushna
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2024
• Subjects: 550 Earth sciences & geology; Arctic; Indian; Gakkel Ridge
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48350/195805; https://boris.unibe.ch/195805/

We present a kinematic model developed from geodetic observations, topography analysis and analogue tectonic modelling results, which reveals a striking similarity between the rotational tectonic settings of the Gakkel Ridge-Chersky Range system in the Arctic, and the Central Indian Tectonic Zone within the Indian subcontinent. A crucial aspect of large-scale extensional rift systems is the gradual variation of extension along the rift axis, due to plate rotation about a Euler pole, which may lead to contraction on the opposite side of the Euler pole to form a rotational tectonic system. Our geodetic and topographic analysis, combined with the reanalysis of analogue tectonic modelling results demonstrates such rotational tectonic plate motion in both the Arctic and Indian case. However, the plate boundary between the North American and Eurasian Plates as represented by the Arctic Gakkel Ridge-Chersky Range system is strongly localized, whereas the Central Indian Tectonic Zone that separates the North and ...