Images of the Numerical Solution at the Moment when a Supercontinent Begins to Break Up (IMAGE)
Caption
Images of the numerical solution at the moment when a supercontinent (left, in purplish grey) begins to break up.
In the image on the left, the modelled fictional planet looks much like the Earth: its surface and mantle move spontaneously, at speeds close to those observed on Earth. The distribution of the plates (some of which are large, while many are small) is also similar, as is the topography: red hues represent shallow regions of the ocean (ridges), while blue indicates the deep seafloor. The deepest blue areas correspond to subduction trenches (where a plate is sinking into the mantle). The continents are shown in translucent white (and therefore appear purplish grey).
The image on the right shows warm currents (plumes) rising from the bottom of the mantle.
Credit
Nicolas Coltice
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