Constraining relationship between mantle convection and supercontinent cycles

超大陆旋回是地球表面演化的显著特征。它们之所以重要，是因为它们影响了诸如造山、快速气候变化、矿产沉积以及生命和大气进化中的重大事件等过程。但是，这个交替合并大陆块然后又将它们分开的关键过程是如何驱动的呢？地幔对流与超大陆旋回之间的关系是什么？现在可以获得超越一个超大陆旋回的详细板块运动历史（meredith et al., 2017）。地幔环流模型（MCM）中，地幔对流模型的表面运动是由板块运动历史驱动的，这将使这种关系得以研究（Davies et al., 2012，图1）。这些MCM模型将在任何时候预测完整的地幔结构，目前可以与地球结构的地震观测结果进行比较。这些结果将用于动态地球动力学模型来理解和约束驱动因素。

Supercontinent cycles have been the notable feature of Earth's surface evolution. They have important since they have influenced such processes as mountain building, rapid climate swings, mineral deposits, and major events in the evolution of life and the atmosphere. But how is this critical process, of alternately amalgamating continental blocks and then ripping them apart, driven? What is the relationship between the underlying mantle convection and the supercontinent cycle? Detailed plate motion histories extending beyond one supercontinent cycle are now available (Merdith et al., 2017). Mantle circulation models (MCM), where the surface motion of mantle convection models are driven by plate motion histories will allow this relationship to be investigated (Davies et al., 2012, Fig 1). These MCM models will predict the complete mantle structure at all times, and at present day can be compared with seismic observations of Earth's structure. These results will be utilised in dynamic geodynamic models to understand and constrain the drivers.