Changes

|competition=December 2014

|competition=December 2014

}}

}}

[[File:Updated lwandle4.jpg|thumbnail|400px|right|Lwandle and its neighboring plates are shown. This figure is simplified, modified from Stamps et al 2008.]]

[[File:Updated lwandle4.jpg|thumbnail|400px|right|Lwandle and its neighboring plates are shown. This figure is simplified, modified from Stamps et al.<ref name=Stampsetal />]]

 

The '''Lwandle Plate''' is one of three tectonic micro-plates that previously made up the African Plate, along with the [[Somali Plate]] and the [[African Plate|Nubian Plate]]. Its discovery is very recent, so the velocity of the plate isn't well known or understood.<ref name=Saria>Saria, E., 2014, Present-day kinematics of the East African Rift: Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth vol. 119, issue 4. DOI:10.1002/2013JB010901</ref> Many experiments are ongoing to quantify this. The Lwandle Plate lies between 30°E and 50°E, sharing a boundary with the Nubia, Somali and [[Antarctic plate|Antarctic Plates]].<ref name=Demetsetal>DeMets, C., R. Gordon, and D. Argus, 2010, Geologically current plate motions: Geophys. J. Int 1–80: 39. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04491.x</ref>

The '''Lwandle Plate''' is one of three tectonic micro-plates that previously made up the African Plate, along with the [[Somali Plate]] and the [[African Plate|Nubian Plate]]. Its discovery is very recent, so the velocity of the plate isn't well known or understood.<ref name=Saria>Saria, E., 2014, Present-day kinematics of the East African Rift: Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth vol. 119, issue 4. DOI:10.1002/2013JB010901</ref> Many experiments are ongoing to quantify this. The Lwandle Plate lies between 30°E and 50°E, sharing a boundary with the Nubia, Somali and [[Antarctic plate|Antarctic Plates]].<ref name=Demetsetal>DeMets, C., R. Gordon, and D. Argus, 2010, Geologically current plate motions: Geophys. J. Int 1–80: 39. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04491.x</ref>

== Origin ==

== Origin ==

[[File:EAfricaRift updated.jpg|thumbnail|400px|right|The East African Rift, where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate and two parts of the African Plate—the Nubian and Somali—which eventually led to the formation of the Lwandle plate as well as other micro-plates. The Afar Triangle, shaded at the center, is a [[triple junction]] that separates the three plates.<ref>"U.S. Geological Survey". Retrieved 25 October 2014.</ref>]]

[[File:EAfricaRift updated.jpg|thumbnail|400px|right|The East African Rift, where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate and two parts of the African Plate—the Nubian and Somali—which eventually led to the formation of the Lwandle plate as well as other micro-plates. The Afar Triangle, shaded at the center, is a [[triple junction]] that separates the three plates. From USGS<ref>U.S. Geological Survey, retrieved 25 October 2014.</ref>]]

 

For many years it was widely accepted that rifting in the [[East African Rift]] system, 22-25 million years ago, resulted in the splitting of the African Plate into 2 smaller plates - the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate.<ref>Ebinger, C.J. (2005). "Continental break-up: the East African perspective". Astro. Geophys. 46 (2).</ref>  However, most recently, through the application of GPS technology and integration of earthquake data, it was discovered that the rift created three additional “micro-plates” plates - the Lwandle Plate, [[Victoria Plate]], and [[Romuva Plate]].<ref>Saria, E (April 2014). "Present-day kinematics of the East African Rift". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 119 (4). doi:10.1002/2013JB010901</ref>

For many years it was widely accepted that rifting in the [[East African Rift]] system, 22-25 million years ago, resulted in the splitting of the African Plate into 2 smaller plates - the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate.<ref>Ebinger, C.J. (2005). "Continental break-up: the East African perspective". Astro. Geophys. 46 (2).</ref>  However, most recently, through the application of GPS technology and integration of earthquake data, it was discovered that the rift created three additional “micro-plates” plates - the Lwandle Plate, [[Victoria Plate]], and [[Romuva Plate]].<ref>Saria, E (April 2014). "Present-day kinematics of the East African Rift". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 119 (4). doi:10.1002/2013JB010901</ref>