Evidence for early Proterozoic plate tectonics from seismic reflection profiles in the Baltic shield

T. Dahl-Jensen, R. W. Hobbs, S. L. Klemperer*, D. H. Matthews, D. B. Snyder, R. Long, T. Matthews, D. J. Blundell, C. E. Lund, H. Palm, L. B. Pedersen, R. G. Roberts, S. A. Elming, P. Heikkinen, H. Korhonen, U. Luosto, S. E. Hjelt, K. Komminaho, J. Yliniemi, R. MeissnerP. Sadowiak, Th Wever, T. Dickmann, E. R. Flueh, A. Berthelsen, H. Thybo, N. Balling, E. Nørmark

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

282 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Plate tectonics provides the linking framework for all tectonic and magmatic activity seen today, but it is not known when plate tectonics first developed on Earth. New deep seismic reflection and coincident refraction profiles across an exposed, 1.89-Gyr-old volcanic arc complex show a 10-km-thick offset in the Moho and bivergent reflectors in the crust, which were most probably created by plate convergence, subduction and accretion during the Early Proterozoic. Hence, plate tectonic models seem to be applicable for at least the second half of Earth's history.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-38
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume348
Issue number6296
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1990
Externally publishedYes

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