Cited by 1,673earthquake and tectonic studiesGeological and Geophysical StudiesHigh-pressure geophysics and materials

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On the Relative Importance of the Driving Forces of Plate Motion

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Forsyth, D., Uyeda, S.·1975·Geophysical Journal International

DOI 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1975.tb00631.x

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Abstract

A number of possible mechanisms have recently been proposed for driving the motions of the lithospheric plates, such as pushing from mid-ocean ridges, pulling by downgoing slabs, suction toward trenches, and coupling of the plates to flow in the mantle. We advance a new observational method of testing these theories of the driving mechanism. Our basic approach is to solve the inverse problem of determining the relative strength of the plausible driving forces, given the observed motions and geometries of the lithospheric plates. Since the inertia of the plates is negligible, each plate must be in dynamic equilibrium, so that the sum of the torques acting on a plate must be zero. Thus, our problem is to determine the relative sizes of the forces that minimize the components of net torque on each plate. The results indicate that the forces acting on the downgoing slab control the velocity of the oceanic plates and are an order of magnitude stronger than any other force. Namely, all the oceanic plates attached to substantial amounts of downgoing slabs move with a ‘terminal velocity’ at which the gravitational body force pulling the slabs downward is nearly balanced with the resistance acting on the slab; regardless of the other features of the trailing horizontal part of the plates. The drag on the bottom of the plates which resist motion is stronger under the continents than under the oceans.

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Chen, F., Davies, D. R., Goes, S. D. B., Suchoy, L., & Kramer, S. C. (2022) · Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · doi:10.1029/2022gc010597 · Cited by 20
“…buoyancy provides a key driv-47 ing force for plate tectonics, and they continue to influence surface processes in a num-48 ber of ways (e.g., Forsyth & Uyeda, 1975; Mitrovica et al., 1989; Lithgow-Bertelloni & Richards, 1998; Wheeler & White, 2002; Perrin et al., 2018; Rubey et al., 2017;…”
Background
Sublithospheric diamonds extend Paleoproterozoic record of cold deep subduction into the lower mantle
Zhang, Q., Timmerman, S., Stachel, T., Chinn, I. L., Stern, R. A., Davies, J., Nestola, F., Luth, R. W., & Pearson, D. G. (2024) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118675 · Cited by 23
Spherical dynamic models of top‐down tectonics
Morra, G., Quevedo, L., & Müller, R. D. (2012) · Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · doi:10.1029/2011gc003843 · Cited by 20
“This scenario is in agreement with the classical view that the major driver of plate tectonics is the slab pull [Forsyth and Uyeda, 1975; Lithgow-Bertelloni and Richards, 1998].”
Result
Physical models of rifting and transform faulting, due to ridge push in a wedge-shaped oceanic lithosphere
Marques, F. O., Cobbold, P. R., & Lourenço, N. (2007) · Tectonophysics · doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2007.07.002 · Cited by 20
Bearing of plate geometry and rheology on shallow-focus mega-thrust seismicity with special reference to 26 December 2004 Sumatra event
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Slab Rollback Orogeny Model: A Test of Concept
Zilio, L. D., Kissling, E., Gerya, T., & van Dinther, Y. (2020) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2020gl089917 · Cited by 19
Chilean vs. Mariana type subduction zones with remarks on arc volcanism and collision tectonics
Uyeda, S. (1987) · Geodynamics series/Geodynamic series · doi:10.1029/gd018p0001 · Cited by 21
Self-citation
Quaternary Stress Regime Change along the Eastern North Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey
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Mesostructural Development in Detached Folds: An Example from West Virginia
Dunne, W. M. (1986) · The Journal of Geology · doi:10.1086/629052 · Cited by 20
Boundary forces and plate velocities
Carlson, R. L. (1981) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/gl008i009p00958 · Cited by 20
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Numerical models of subduction and forearc deformation
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Shear flow beneath oceanic plates: Local nonsimilarity boundary layers for olivine rheology
Yuen, D. A., Tovish, A., & Schubert, G. (1978) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/jb083ib02p00759 · Cited by 20
Driving Forces: Slab Pull, Ridge Push
Lithgow‐Bertelloni, C. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6644-0_105-1 · Cited by 20
Flat subduction in the Early Earth: The key role of discrete eclogitization kinetics
Perchuk, A. L., Zakharov, V. S., Gerya, T., & Griffin, W. L. (2023) · Gondwana Research · doi:10.1016/j.gr.2023.03.015 · Cited by 19
From the LIPS of a serial killer: Endogenic retardation of biological evolution on unstable stagnant-lid planets
Bédard, J. H. J. (2020) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2020.105068 · Cited by 20
Evidence for a Global Slowdown in Seafloor Spreading Since 15 Ma
Dalton, C. A., Wilson, D. S., & Herbert, T. D. (2022) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2022gl097937 · Cited by 19
The Effect of a Weak Asthenospheric Layer on Surface Kinematics, Subduction Dynamics and Slab Morphology in the Lower Mantle
Cerpa, N. G., Sigloch, K., Garel, F., Heuret, A., Davies, D. R., & Mihalynuk, M. G. (2022) · Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth · doi:10.1029/2022jb024494 · Cited by 20
“Observed plate kinematics provide insights into the dynamics of the subduction system (Becker & Faccenna, 2009; Doglioni et al., 2007; Forsyth & Uyeda, 1975; Funiciello et al., 2008; Goes et al., 2011; Heuret & Lallemand, 2005; Jarrard, 1986; Lallemand et al., 2005; Schellart, 2008b; Sdrolias &…”
BackgroundInfluential
Quantifying the energy dissipation of overriding plate deformation in three‐dimensional subduction models
Chen, Z., Schellart, W. P., & Duarte, J. C. (2014) · Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth · doi:10.1002/2014jb011419 · Cited by 20

Authors: Forsyth, D., & Uyeda, S.
Affiliations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (US)
ORCID: Forsyth, D.
Venue: Geophysical Journal International
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 1975-10-01
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Pages: 163-200
ISSN: 0956-540X (ISSN-L)
1365-246X
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1975.tb00631.x
OpenAlex: W2011893217
Cited by: 1,673
References: 86
Citations by year: 2026: 33 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 57 · 2023: 78 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 66 · 2020: 82 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 73 · 2017: 60 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 50 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 37
FWCI: 23.95
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Geophysical Journal International (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
Office of Naval Research (N00014)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › earthquake and tectonic studies
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geology › Geological and Geophysical Studies
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › High-pressure geophysics and materials
Keywords: plate motion, plate driving forces, slab pull, inverse problems, plate tectonics

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On the Relative Importance of the Driving Forces of Plate Motion

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