94,499 research outputs found
Digital Tectonics as a Morphogenetic Process
p. 938-948Tectonics is a seminal concept that defines the nature of the relationship between
architecture and its structural properties. The changing definition of the symbiotic
relationship between structural engineering and architectural design may be considered one of the formative influences on the conceptual evolution of tectonics in different historical periods. Recent developments in the field of morphogenesis, digital media, theories techniques and methods of digital design have contributed a new models of integration between structure, material and form in digital tectonics.
The objective of this paper is to propose and define tectonics as a model of morphogenetic process. The paper identifies and presents the manner in which theory and emerging concepts of morphogenesis as well as digital models of design are contributing to this new model. The paper first analyzes the historical evolution of tectonics as a concept and characterizes the emergence of theoretical framework reflected in concepts and terms related to morphogenesis.Oxman, R. (2010). Digital Tectonics as a Morphogenetic Process. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/695
Inevitability of Plate Tectonics on Super-Earths
The recent discovery of super-Earths (masses less or equal to 10
earth-masses) has initiated a discussion about conditions for habitable worlds.
Among these is the mode of convection, which influences a planet's thermal
evolution and surface conditions. On Earth, plate tectonics has been proposed
as a necessary condition for life. Here we show, that super-Earths will also
have plate tectonics. We demonstrate that as planetary mass increases, the
shear stress available to overcome resistance to plate motion increases while
the plate thickness decreases, thereby enhancing plate weakness. These effects
contribute favorably to the subduction of the lithosphere, an essential
component of plate tectonics. Moreover, uncertainties in achieving plate
tectonics in the one earth-mass regime disappear as mass increases:
super-Earths, even if dry, will exhibit plate tectonic behaviour.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures and 1 table; in press in ApJ
The Ability of Significant Tidal Stress to Initiate Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics is a geophysical process currently unique to Earth, has an
important role in regulating the Earth's climate, and may be better understood
by identifying rocky planets outside our solar system with tectonic activity.
The key criterion for whether or not plate tectonics may occur on a terrestrial
planet is if the stress on a planet's lithosphere from mantle convection may
overcome the lithosphere's yield stress. Although many rocky exoplanets closely
orbiting their host stars have been detected, all studies to date of plate
tectonics on exoplanets have neglected tidal stresses in the planet's
lithosphere. Modeling a rocky exoplanet as a constant density, homogeneous,
incompressible sphere, we show the tidal stress from the host star acting on
close-in planets may become comparable to the stress on the lithosphere from
mantle convection. We also show that tidal stresses from planet-planet
interactions are unlikely to be significant for plate tectonics, but may be
strong enough to trigger Earthquakes. Our work may imply planets orbiting close
to their host stars are more likely to experience plate tectonics, with
implications for exoplanetary geophysics and habitability. We produce a list of
detected rocky exoplanets under the most intense stresses. Atmospheric and
topographic observations may confirm our predictions in the near future.
Investigations of planets with significant tidal stress can not only lead to
observable parameters linked to the presence of active plate tectonics, but may
also be used as a tool to test theories on the main driving force behind
tectonic activity.Comment: 34 pages, 3 figures, 3 Tables, accepted to Icaru
Inter- and intra-plate deformation at North American plate boundaries
Alaska tectonics and earthquake hazard studies; Southern California tectonics (block rotation); spreading near the Salton Trough; California plate motion (fault zone kinematics); and Caribbean plate motion investigations are examined
Real Evidence of a Subducting Plate
The objective of this activity is to allow students to manipulate real data and understand how such data are interpreted and used in support of a theory. The concepts studied are maps, earthquakes, and plate tectonics, particularly a subduction zone plate boundary. The student will learn or be refreshed on using latitude and longitude for mapping purposes. The activity should be used in a unit on plate tectonics so that the student has a basic understanding of plate theory, boundaries, and types of crust. It is also useful to guide a class discussion about the different types of evidence used to support the theory of plate tectonics. Educational levels: High school, Undergraduate lower division
Constraints on the active tectonics of the Friuli/NW Slovenia area from CGPS measurements and three-dimensional kinematic modeling
We use site velocities from continuous GPS (CGPS) observations and kinematic
modeling to investigate the active tectonics of the Friuli/NW Slovenia area. Data from 42
CGPS stations around the Adriatic indicate an oblique collision, with southern Friuli
moving NNW toward northern Friuli at the relative speed of 1.6 to 2.2 mm/a. We
investigate the active tectonics using 3DMove, a three-dimensional kinematic model tool.
The model consists of one indenter-shaped fault plane that approximates the Adriatic
plate boundary. Using the ‘‘fault-parallel flow’’ deformation algorithm, we move the
hanging wall along the fault plane in the direction indicated by the GPS velocities. The
resulting strain field is used for structural interpretation. We identify a pattern of
coincident strain maxima and high vorticity that correlates well with groups of
hypocenters of major earthquakes (including their aftershocks) and indicates the
orientation of secondary, active faults. The pattern reveals structures both parallel and
perpendicular to the strike of the primary fault. In the eastern sector, which shows more
complex tectonics, these two sets of faults probably form an interacting strike-slip
system
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