New view of tectonic plates: Computer modeling of Earth's mantle flow, plate motions, and fault zones

ScienceDaily (2010-08-30) -- Computational scientists and geophysicists have developed new computer algorithms that for the first time allow for the simultaneous modeling of Earth's mantle flow, large-scale tectonic plate motions, and the behavior of individual fault zones, to produce an unprecedented view of plate tectonics and the forces that drive it.