The supercontinent cycle describes not only the suturing and rifting of continents via plate tectonics but also the reorganization of mantle convective patterns, which has consequences for polar wander and the geodynamo. Prior to Pangea, paleomagnetism is the only quantitative method available for reconstructing continents and testing geodynamic models of mantle convection and supercontinent formation. I utilize paleomagnetism to distinguish between plate motions and polar wander, an early promise of the method only now just coming into fruition. By both conducting extended paleomagnetic sampling campaigns grounded in field geology and by synthesizing databases of newly acquired constraints, I leverage paleomagnetism in order to evaluate theories of planetary evolution. I pair my paleomagnetic studies with theory and an array of geological data including rock magnetism, electron-probe analyses, cyclostratigraphy, paleontology, geochemistry, petrology, and structural geology in order to test the limits of paleomagnetism.
Prediction of future supercontinent, Amasia, named for its fusing the Americas and Asia by closing the Arctic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, according to the "orthoversion" model of the supercontinent cycle (Mitchell et al., 2012 Nature). Predicted convergence directions (red arrows) are confined within the “ring of fire” of subduction zones (blue band) that encircles a preferred axis of mantle upwelling at 10°E and 190°E longitude (yellow caps). Amasia will be located 90˚ away from the geographic center of the last supercontinent, Pangea, near present-day Africa. Figure at left is from the Nature paper; at right is artwork prepared for the press release.
Selected Public Outreach
Big Picture Science - Land On the Run: Ross Mitchell / Amasia: Radio interview with Molly Bentley on SETI’s Big Picture Science (goo.gl/EoOWtd)
Amasia Supercontinent: Earth’s Geologic Past Shapes Our Understanding of Future: Skype video interview with Cara Santa Maria on Huffington Post’s Talk Nerdy To Me (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/15/amasia-supercontinent-earth_n_1951291.html)
Next Supercontinent Could Form At The North Pole: Live radio interview with John Dankosky on National Public Radio’s Science Friday (http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201202103)
’Amasia’: The Next Supercontinent?: Radio interview with Richard Harris on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered (http://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146572456/amasia-the-next-supercontinent)
Supercontinent Amasia To Take North Pole Position: Radio interview with Kerri Smith on Nature Podcast (http://www.nature.com/news/supercontinent-amasia-to-take-north-pole-position-1.9996)
Massive Rotation of Gondwana: Article in Yale Scientific (http://www.yalescientific.org/2011/02/massive-rotation-of-gondwana/)
Amasia Supercontinent: Earth’s Geologic Past Shapes Our Understanding of Future: Skype video interview with Cara Santa Maria on Huffington Post’s Talk Nerdy To Me (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/15/amasia-supercontinent-earth_n_1951291.html)
Next Supercontinent Could Form At The North Pole: Live radio interview with John Dankosky on National Public Radio’s Science Friday (http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201202103)
’Amasia’: The Next Supercontinent?: Radio interview with Richard Harris on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered (http://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146572456/amasia-the-next-supercontinent)
Supercontinent Amasia To Take North Pole Position: Radio interview with Kerri Smith on Nature Podcast (http://www.nature.com/news/supercontinent-amasia-to-take-north-pole-position-1.9996)
Massive Rotation of Gondwana: Article in Yale Scientific (http://www.yalescientific.org/2011/02/massive-rotation-of-gondwana/)
