Open AccessThe N Plate Problem of Plate Tectonics
Author(s) -
Chase C. G.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1972.tb02202.x
Subject(s) - plate tectonics , ambiguity , lithosphere , geology , consistency (knowledge bases) , geodesy , tectonics , least squares function approximation , geometry , mathematics , seismology , computer science , statistics , estimator , programming language
Summary Plate tectonics theory is used to develop a least squares method for finding all the relative motions of any n interacting plates simultaneously. The method ensures internal consistency of results and allows full use to be made of data on relative movement of plates. The least squares fitting criteria are chosen to avoid ambiguity. Relative motions of eight major plates of the world are calculated in preliminary form, and regional and global rates of creation and destruction of lithosphere are derived from these motions.