Abstract:

The tectonopaleogeography is a science concerned with the study of tectonics and natural geography through geologic time. In the era of Big Data, with the rapid increase in computing power and efficiency as well as advancement in geodynamic simulation technology, tectonopaleogeography can be studied in the setting of global plate tectonics so that the “deep time”, protolocation and prototype paleogeography can be reconstructed. Based on a comprehensive analysis of international and domestic research findings on the geodynamic modeling softwares of GPlates and CitcomS, this paper expounds the research ideas, contents and methods of plate tectonicpaleogeographic reconstruction, technology of residual topography differentiation, and genetic relationship between dynamic topography, plate subduction and deep mantle flow. The paper also introduces the research ideas and methods of revealing plate movement, mantle dynamics with constraints of Earths surface paleogeography such as dynamic topography and others; and proposes the principles of timing, geopositioning, orienting and prototyping that should be followed in the studies of paleogeographic reconstruction and geodynamics. It is of great theoretical significance to reveal 4D geodynamics that the analysis of global plate tectonicpaleogeographic model (GPlates) is combined with that of finite element model (CitcomS) based on physical characteristics of the lithosphere and mantle, and that the investigation of dynamic topography is combined with that of mantle flow.

Key words: paleogeographic reconstruction, dynamic topography, reconstruction of plate tectonics, GPlates, CitcomS, 4D geodynamics