North America Crumbling! Study Reveals Shocking Geological Process – Glass Almanac
2025-04-23T05:54:33Z
A recent American study has revealed that pieces of rock are breaking away from the core (craton) of the North American continent. Researchers attribute this geological … Continue Reading →
A recent American study has revealed that pieces of rock are breaking away from the core (craton) of the North American continent. Researchers attribute this geological phenomenon to remnants of an ancient tectonic plate known as the Farallon Plate.
Trouble from an Ancient Plate
Firstly, it’s important to understand that a craton is an ancient rock core dating back several billion years, which most continents possess. As a component of the continental lithosphere with a distinct geological identity, the craton naturally serves as a stable base on which continents are formed.
In a study published on March 28, 2025, in the journal Nature Geosciences, seismologists and physicists introduced the concept of “cratonic drip” concerning the North American continent. This phenomenon involves the very slow but steady subsidence of rock blocks that make up the craton.
For researchers at the University of Austin (United States), the geological process in question originates from the remnants of the Farallon Plate. Although now fragmented, this ancient tectonic plate continues to influence the Earth’s mantle. The study points out that the Midwest of the United States is the region most affected.
Why is This Phenomenon Significant?
Americans need not worry about the ground beneath the Midwest collapsing any time soon. Indeed, the process is incredibly slow, unfolding over millions of years. However, scientists have sought to understand the phenomenon by studying cratons. It turns out that these rock cores can undergo disturbances that lead to significant changes. For example, the North China craton experienced substantial deterioration 125 million years ago due to the subduction of another plate.
“This kind of phenomenon is crucial if we want to understand the long-term evolution of a planet. It helps us grasp how continents form, break apart, and recycle within the Earth,” stated Thorsten Becker, co-author of the study, in a press release.
Using seismic imaging, the leaders of the study discovered that the North American continent is currently undergoing a similar process. The Farallon Plate—located in what was once the Pacific Ocean—plays a significant role. The advanced models developed by the researchers allowed them to visualize the cratonic drip, a major breakthrough. According to the results of their simulations, the phenomenon ceases its activity after the withdrawal of the Farallon Plate, confirming its influence. Once the remnants of this plate move deeper, the craton should no longer be affected by their presence.
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