Researchers have discovered that remnants of an ancient tectonic plate known as the Farallon Plate are causing slow subsidence in the core (craton) of the North American continent. The study, published on March 28, 2025, in Nature Geosciences, highlights a phenomenon called “cratonic drip” – the gradual descent of rock blocks that make up the craton.
The Farallon Plate was once part of the Pacific Ocean but has now fragmented and continues to influence the Earth’s mantle. The study found that the Midwest region of the United States is most affected by this process. However, scientists assure that this phenomenon is slow, unfolding over millions of years, and does not pose an immediate threat.
The discovery provides valuable insights into the long-term evolution of a planet and how continents form, break apart, and recycle within the Earth. According to Thorsten Becker, co-author of the study, “This kind of phenomenon is crucial if we want to understand the long-term evolution of a planet.” The researchers used seismic imaging to visualize the cratonic drip and developed advanced models to simulate its behavior, confirming the influence of the Farallon Plate remnants.
Source: https://glassalmanac.com/north-america-crumbling-study-reveals-shocking-geological-process