1. Constraining the past operation of plate tectonic regime
Zvi Garfunkel
Institute of Earth Sciences
Hebrew University, Jerusalem

2. Plate Tectonic regime
Recycling of mantle by the creation and destruction of horizontally moving (oceanic) lithospheric plates. Controls heat removal from the Earth’s interior.
Accompanied by activity of hot spots (plumes); secondary role in heat removal.

3. Present situation Present heat production in BSE – 24 TW
( K- 250 ppm; U ppm; Th ppm )
70% in continental crust – 17 TW
Present heat loss: seafloor spreading +
conduction through continentals – 37 TW
Net heat loss from interior – 20 TW, equivalent to
cooling rate of mantle of 132 °C/ Ga
HS/plumes remove ca. +10% of heat loss, probably mostly from the core