Geophysics

C. DeMets, R.G. Gordon, D.F. Argus, S. Stein, "Current plate motions," Geophysical Journal International, 101:425-78, 1990. Charles DeMets (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena): "Accurate models for the present-day velocities of the earth's major tectonic plates have long been useful tools in the earth sciences. Through careful analysis of abundant high-quality seafloor and earthquake data, we have constructed a model free from the significant biases present

| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

C. DeMets, R.G. Gordon, D.F. Argus, S. Stein, "Current plate motions," Geophysical Journal International, 101:425-78, 1990.

Charles DeMets (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena): "Accurate models for the present-day velocities of the earth's major tectonic plates have long been useful tools in the earth sciences. Through careful analysis of abundant high-quality seafloor and earthquake data, we have constructed a model free from the significant biases present in prior models, and have resolved nearly all of the major tectonic problems defined by prior models. Signals such as motion between India and Australia, deformation of plates above subduction zones, and, possibly, a microplate south of New Zealand have for the first time emerged from the noise. Some of the success of this paper can be attributed to its utility to a spectrum of earth scientists; however, the new questions raised by this paper about plate motions and crustal deformation may ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
Image of a man in a laboratory looking frustrated with his failed experiment.
February 2026

A Stubborn Gene, a Failed Experiment, and a New Path

When experiments refuse to cooperate, you try again and again. For Rafael Najmanovich, the setbacks ultimately pushed him in a new direction.

View this Issue
Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

Stemcell Technologies
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter logo
Conceptual multicolored vector image of cancer research, depicting various biomedical approaches to cancer therapy

Maximizing Cancer Research Model Systems

bioxcell

Products

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Pioneers Life Sciences Innovation with High-Quality Bioreagents on Inside Business Today with Bill and Guiliana Rancic

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Expands Research Reagent Portfolio to Support Global Nipah Virus Vaccine and Diagnostic Development

Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Partners with Automata to Accelerate AI-Ready Laboratory Automation

Refeyn logo

Refeyn named in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies