Part earth 120 million years missing that was found there Kalimantan. A study led by a geologist from Utrecht University, Suzanna van de Lagemaat, has discovered a huge puzzle in history Earth geology.
Van de Lagemaat succeeded in recreating a previously unknown large tectonic plate, which is a quarter the size of the Pacific Ocean.
The plate known as Pontus was previously only a hypothesis built more than ten years ago based on pieces of old tectonic plates.
Research carried out in Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, Van de Lagemaat succeeded in the existence of this plate in its entirety.
1. Early discovery of the Pontus plate
More than 10 years ago, a team of geologists in Utrecht predicted the existence of large, unknown tectonic plates through debris stored on Earth. Shales are the remains of old scales that were brought into the mantle or “sunk”.
Although these pieces are difficult to understand, today’s technology allows scientists to find anomalies in the Earth’s mantle. This provides an initial indication of the missing plate. However, without concrete field data, the Pontus plate was only a theory until Van de Lagemaat’s research began.
2. Evidence from the island of Kalimantan
One of the major breakthroughs from Van de Lagemaat’s research occurred when he discovered rock remains in North Kalimantan. Previously these rocks had no contact with the Pontus plate.
At first, the research team thought they were studying the remains of a known tectonic plate. However, magnetic studies of these rocks indicate that their origin is in an area much further north, as the exact location of the plate was never known before.
Search this is the main evidence in the reconstruction of the Pontus plate and opens new perspectives on the geological history of Borneo and the surrounding area.
3. Connected plate system
Photo of tectonic plates (unsplash.com/ko/@mitko)Van de Lagemaat not only reconstructed the Pontus plate, but also showed that this plate was part of a very large tectonic system. This system stretches from southern Japan to New Zealand. This plate system appears to have existed for over 150 million years.
This is a major discovery in tectonic studies because previously there was no clear evidence of the level of these plates. The existence of such an extensive tectonic system provides important information about the dynamics of plate movement in the Western Pacific region.
4. Role of seismic wave anomalies
Predictions about the Pontus plate were originally based on seismic anomalies found within the Earth’s mantle. When a tectonic plate moves into the mantle, it leaves traces of changes in temperature or chemical composition that can be detected through seismic waves from earthquakes.
These waves are disturbed as they pass through the anomaly, and geologists can monitor these disturbances to find the remains of lost plates. With this method, the research team was able to look back up to 300 million years into the past, identifying an ancient subduction zone that separated the Pontus plate from the more famous Pacific plate.
5. Reconstruction based on global data
image of Earth (unsplash.com/NASA)Van de Lagemaat used geological data from various regions around the Western Pacific, from Japan to New Zealand. By mapping the movement of tectonic plates in this area, he was able to determine the size of the area in which the Pontus plate once appeared.
This reconstruction process shows how large and important the role of the Pontus plate is in the geological history of the region. Ancient rocks found in Borneo and Palawan prove that this area was once part of a vast ocean that has since disappeared.
6. The importance of tectonic studies
The study of tectonics not only helps us understand the history of plate movements, but it also plays a key role in detecting changes in the Earth’s geology and climate over time.
Plate movements also affect the location of mountain formations, volcanoes, and the presence of natural resources, including rare metals.
However, many tectonic plates have sunk into the Earth’s mantle through subduction. This leaves only a few traces hidden in the mountains or under the sea.
The discovery of the Pontus plate provides important insight into lost parts of the Earth and the dynamic history of the Earth’s crust.
Van de Lagemaat’s discovery opened a new page in the Earth’s geological history. Reconstruction of the Pontus plate reveals large movements of tectonic plates that were previously hidden behind an ancient ocean. With advanced methods, this research strengthens our understanding of the dynamics of the Earth.
Also read: New study reveals facts about the rapid evolution of the ancient fish Coelacanth
Reference
Van De Lagemaat, Suzanna HA, and Douwe JJ Van Hinsbergen. “Plate Tectonic Crossroads: Reconstructing the Panthalassa-Neotethys Junction Region from the Philippine Sea Plate and Australasian Oceans and Orogens.” Gondwana Exploration 126 (September 29, 2023).
EurekAlert. Available September 2024. A plate tectonic wonder: A Utrecht geologist suddenly discovers the remains of a lost mega-plate.
2024-09-27 23:50:00
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