Scientists unlocked secrets of Earth's ancient geological processes using high-tech animations, which are believed to open doors to new mineral discoveries and predicting volcanic eruptions.
Constructed by researchers from James Cook University and the University of Queensland, the animations illustrate the geological history of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands over the last 8 millions years.
Coupled with existing geological data, these animations reveal the different processes that are active in tectonic plate movement and mountain building in almost real time.
"This research shows the value of applying new techniques to the extensive database of already existing scientific literature," said Rob Holm, study researcher from James Cook University. "It can track the motion of tectonic plates to explain the formation of oceans and mountain ranges as these plates break apart and crash into one another, and even holds far-reaching implications for the distribution of animal species and Earth's climate though time."
What's more is the new animations also revealed various geological relationships in the southwest Pacific region that had not previously been considered.
"This work highlights how the motion of tectonic plates and their related landmasses are intricately linked to the motion of other plates and plate boundaries surrounding them, and those further afield," added Holm, a lecturer in petrology and mineralogy. "We can now see the geological settings during the formation of mineral deposits rather than simply at the present day. As a result, we gain a better understanding of the geological settings for deposit formation and can better predict worthwhile locations to explore."
With this information, researchers hope to improve prediction methods for future earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
"It allows us to reconstruct and track the boundaries between tectonic plates. A better appreciation of this will give us a greater ability to predict where and when these hazards can occur," Holm said.
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are home to a very dynamic environment in which the Bismarck Sea has been created over a relatively short period of time - at least on a geological time scale.
Researchers found the Bismarck Sea emerged where no ocean previously existed, reducing the Solomon Sea from a vast 1,000 kilometers to now only a few hundred kilometers.
Next, researchers hope to broaden their findings and learn more about the region's evolution and long-term geological development.
Their study was recently published in the journal Earth-Science Reviews.
