News & Announcements

PaleoGIS Adds Deformation of User Data

Rothwell announces innovative new functionality for end users and plate model vendors.

Paleo reconstructions performed with rigid plate models inherently have gaps and overlaps between plates. For many tectonic reconstruction exercises, this may not measurably impact analysis results. However, for paleo geographies where plates have been significantly stretched due to rifting or compacted during collisions, the limitations of rigid models may make the reconstructions insufficiently accurate for the task at hand.

Continuing in its position as the industry standard in plate tectonics reconstruction, the next release of PaleoGIS will include new deformation functionality for plate models configured to take advantage of this capability. Reconstruction with these models will automatically deform both plates and user data to their relative paleo shapes, providing a more comprehensive structural visualization of basin evolution.

Existing deformation methods require plate modelers to include deformation information within the model’s “cookie cutter” layer, potentially creating the need to support both rigid and deformable versions of their models. In the upcoming release of PaleoGIS (version 4.3 for ArcGIS 10.3 and 10.3.1) deformation control is added as separate feature classes within the model database, thereby allowing the same model to be used for applications that may or may not require deformation. Further, this method provides fine-grain control of the deformation process, allowing multiple deformation events for individual plates at different ages. Notably, rigid models will remain supported with no change in format, and end users who prefer to make their own plate edits will have the ability to add deformation to their existing rigid plate models.

As with existing versions, PaleoGIS v4.3 will support most commercial and academic plate models. Please contact Sales@RothwellGroup.com for more information.