Part 3: Plate Kinematics
Describing Plate Motions
Plate kinematics quantifies how tectonic plates move on the surface of a sphere. Euler's rotation theorem provides the mathematical foundation: every plate motion can be described as a rotation about an axis through Earth's center. Modern models combine magnetic anomalies, transform fault azimuths, and GPS data to determine angular velocity vectors.
v = ω × r
Euler's Theorem
25 Plates
MORVEL Model
0.1–2.0 °/Ma
Angular Velocities
Topics in This Part
3.1 Euler Poles & Plate Rotation
Euler's rotation theorem on a sphere, pole locations, and angular velocity vectors
3.2 Plate Velocity Fields
NUVEL-1A, MORVEL, and GPS constraints on present-day plate motions
3.3 Triple Junctions
McKenzie-Morgan classification, stability conditions, and velocity triangles
3.4 Plate Reconstructions
Stage poles, finite rotations, and GPlates software for paleo-reconstructions