Model for Archean plate tectonics

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1983 Model for Archean plate tectonics E. G. Nisbet; E. G. Nisbet 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 0W0, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C.M.R. Fowler C.M.R. Fowler 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 0W0, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information E. G. Nisbet 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 0W0, Canada C.M.R. Fowler 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 0W0, Canada Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1983) 11 (7): 376–379. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<376:MFAPT>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation E. G. Nisbet, C.M.R. Fowler; Model for Archean plate tectonics. Geology 1983;; 11 (7): 376–379. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<376:MFAPT>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Plate tectonics would have operated very efficiently in Archean time provided the plates were, in bulk, komatiitic in composition, moving over an asthenosphere that was hotter and thus lighter and less viscous than today. Simple models of thin, dense komatiitic plates overlying a dunitic upper asthenosphere at about 1700 °C imply that resistive forces to plate motion may have been much less than today. The relatively light, low-viscosity asthenosphere would have allowed the Archean plates to move easily and would have enabled them to be subducted rapidly. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.