Author(s): Josephine Joergensen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (First Author, Presenting Author) Maria Seton, The University of Sydney Dietmar Müller, The University of Sydney
The seafloor contains many confusing features that cannot be explained according to classic plate tectonic theory. Past studies have found that these features arise during times of major changes in the motions of tectonic plates. We found a region containing a previously undocumented sequence of confusing seafloor features in maps of the seafloor. We believe that this set of features records specific events that occurred up to 50 million years ago. Our findings indicate that even changes occurring at large scales on the planet can affect very small regions, and that such confusing and complex seafloor features can be used to improve our understanding of plate tectonic history.
