What forces are driving the Indian subcontinent to drift northward?

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.11.5

Abstract

Abstract:

It is widely recognized that the Indian continental plate splits and drifts from Gondwana in the southern hemisphere to its current location, but the driving force behind such movement has been under debate ever since the theory of continental drift was put forward. Quantitative estimation of the driving force may help to resolve the issue. We collected two deep reflection seismic exploration profiles in the passive continental margin basin area of the southern Indian subcontinent. We interpreted the data structurally, estimated the dip angle of Moho surface in detail, and obtained the magnitude of crustal gravity slip shear force which was used to explain the dynamic mechanism of the Indian plate movement. The results show that the Indian continental plate can produce enough gravity slip force on the inclining interface formed by mantle upwelling to drive the Indian subcontinent to drift northward. Hence, a “mantle upwelling and gravity slip” dual-drive continental-drift model is proposed. That is, continental plate can drift by relying on continuous mantle thermal upwelling and gravity slip force. This model can reasonably explain the continental fragments in the Indian Ocean and the genetic mechanism of left rotation in the northward drift of the Indian continent. The gravity-slip driving mechanism provides a new dynamic model for plate motion and more accurate constraints for understanding the driving force behind plate motion.

Key words: northward drift of Indian continent, continental crust, gravity slip, dynamic mechanism, seismic exploration

CLC Number:

P541

LIANG Guanghe, YANG Weiran. What forces are driving the Indian subcontinent to drift northward?[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2023, 30(2): 68-80.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 Tectonic sketch map of the Indian Ocean basin and surrounding areas. Modified after [8,26].

Fig.2 (a) Locations of seismic exploration sections in the southern Indian continental plate and (b) geological interpretation of the seismic receiver function section along CD line (after [28]).

Fig.3 Seismic exploration profile of artificial reflected wave along line AB (after [27]), and (b) structural geological interpretation of the seismic exploration section (see Fig.2a for section location). Red arrow indicates slip direction of the Indian continental crust.

Fig.4 Seismic exploration profile of artificial reflected wave along line EF (after [27]), and (b) structural geological interpretation of the seismic exploration section (see Fig.2a for section location). Red arrow indicates slip direction of the Indian continental crust.

Fig.5 Comprehensive geological interpretation of sections along lines A-B-C-D and E-F-C-D (section locations see Fig.2a)

Table 1 Calculation table of gravity slip shear stress

剖面模型参数	测线AB	测线EF
H	40 km	40 km
h	12 km	36 km
L	60 km	70 km
a	14°	27°
P	256 MPa	480 MPa

Fig.6 Model describing the drift and collision processes during the breakup of India from Gondwana. (a) Initial stage of the breakup. (b) Drift process. (c) Collision-subduction process.

Fig.7 A new model for continental drift driven by gravity slip force

Fig.8 Schematics illustrating the splitting mechanism of the Deccan rift and Sri Lanka before 66 Ma, suggesting the difference in driving forces between the west and east sides of southern India generates sinistral shear to produce two rifts. (a) Current stress status of India. (b) Stress status of India at 66 Ma. Modified from [8].

Fig.9 Late-Cretaceous and Early-Eocene tectonic evolution of the Indian subcontinent. Modified from [36].

Fig.10 Tracing the origin of major continents in the Eastern Hemisphere based on wake characteristics of continental drift

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