Plate kinematics to plate dynamics: understanding plate boundary processes at the global scale

We propose to build a new model of the Earth's tectonic plates and the way they interact with the interior dynamics of the planet. The model will include a new formulation for the plate boundary zones which are believed to control the plate motions. We will consider how small scale processes such as melting, rock failure and sliding, and formation/destruction of the oceanic crust influence the global scale. We will calibrate the model using simple plate motion templates taken from tectonic reconstructions of well understood regions of the Earth's oceans.