Comparison of Plate Tectonic Models for the North and Central Atlantic (Paleoceanographic Mapping Project Progress Report No. 20-0487)

• Main Authors: Heubeck, Christoph E., Royer, Jean-Yves
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Institute for Geophysics 1987
• Subjects: plate tectonics; plate reconstruction; North Atlantic Ocean; Central Atlantic Ocean; Molnar; Mueller; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/67596; https://doi.org/10.15781/T28S4K73M

Numerous models describing the tectonic evolution of the North and Central Atlantic Ocean have been proposed. However, it is often difficult to quickly evaluate how these models differ. In this study, we have modified a computer program, originally written by Philippe Patriat that graphically displays spreading rates and spreading directions for any pair of plates. Using this program we have analyzed the plate tectonic models proposed by Pitman and Talwani (1972), Sclater et al. (1977), Olivet et al. (1984), Savostin et al. (1986), Klitgord and Schouten (1986), and Srivastava and Tapscott (1986). In addition, we have included the unpublished models of Francheteau (1970), Phillips and Tapscott (1981 ), Molnar and Stork (1983), Rowley et al. (1985), Gahagan et al. ( 1987), and Mueller (1987). UT Institute for Geophysics Paleoceanographic Mapping Project (POMP) Institute for Geophysics