A Global Plate Model Including Lithospheric Deformation Along Major Rifts and Orogens Since the Triassic

TLDR

Traditional deep‑time plate motion models assume rigid plates, despite known significant plate deformation. We present a global Mesozoic–Cenozoic deforming plate motion model that captures progressive extension of all continental margins since ~240 Ma. The model reconstructs absolute plate motions in a mantle reference frame by jointly inverting hot spot tracks, trench migration velocities, and lithospheric rotation, while incorporating major failed rifts, collision zones, and regional deformation episodes from published tectonic models. The optimized model shows net rotation below 0.2°/Myr, reduced trench migration scatter, and one‑third of continental crust deformed since 240 Ma, with peak deformation of 30 × 10^6 km² in the Late Jurassic and 48 × 10^6 km² in the Late Eocene, partitioned 65% extension and 35% compression, offering a framework for regional deforming plate networks.

Abstract

Abstract Global deep‐time plate motion models have traditionally followed a classical rigid plate approach, even though plate deformation is known to be significant. Here we present a global Mesozoic–Cenozoic deforming plate motion model that captures the progressive extension of all continental margins since the initiation of rifting within Pangea at ~240 Ma. The model also includes major failed continental rifts and compressional deformation along collision zones. The outlines and timing of regional deformation episodes are reconstructed from a wealth of published regional tectonic models and associated geological and geophysical data. We reconstruct absolute plate motions in a mantle reference frame with a joint global inversion using hot spot tracks for the last 80 million years and minimizing global trench migration velocities and net lithospheric rotation. In our optimized model, net rotation is consistently below 0.2°/Myr, and trench migration scatter is substantially reduced. Distributed plate deformation reaches a Mesozoic peak of 30 × 10 6 km 2 in the Late Jurassic (~160–155 Ma), driven by a vast network of rift systems. After a mid‐Cretaceous drop in deformation, it reaches a high of 48 x 10 6 km 2 in the Late Eocene (~35 Ma), driven by the progressive growth of plate collisions and the formation of new rift systems. About a third of the continental crustal area has been deformed since 240 Ma, partitioned roughly into 65% extension and 35% compression. This community plate model provides a framework for building detailed regional deforming plate networks and form a constraint for models of basin evolution and the plate‐mantle system.