Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection

Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection gathers state-of-the-art and complementary views on plate tectonics in one single volume, written by the top specialists in the field. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of solid Earth sciences. It describes that the surface of our planet is fragmented in several rigid lithospheric plates that move in relation to each other over the less viscous asthenospheric mantle. Numerous fundamental geological processes occur along plate boundary zones. These include seismicity, volcanism, orogenic processes, development of basins and formation of natural resources. Plates are also constantly being formed in oceanic spreading centers and recycled back into the Earth's mantle in subduction zones.

Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection gives authors the space to go beyond the geometric and kinematic description of plate tectonics and provide tentative quantification (and discussion) of the forces driving and resisting plate motion and mantle convection and their energetic balance.