Plate Models
This chapter describes all plate tectonic reconstruction models available in the
plate-model-manager.
Each model entry lists:
Time range - begin time and end time of this model in Ma.
Layers - the available data layers (e.g. Coastlines, Topologies).
Time-dependent rasters - time-dependent raster files.
Description - a brief description of the model.
DOI / URL - a link to the original publication or data repository.
Note
Use the model name (case-insensitive) when calling the plate-model-manager API or CLI.
For example: pmm download Muller2025 ./my-models
Default Model
Note
The current default plate model is Zahirovic2022. If user calls plate_model_manager.PlateModelManager.get_model() without specifying a model name, this will be the one used. This may change in the future as new models are added or updated. Always check the documentation for the most up-to-date information on the default model.
Zahirovic2022
Time range: 410 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
StaticPolygons
Topologies
COBs
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGridsUsingIsochronsMantleFrame
AgeGridsUsingIsochronsPMAG
AgeGridsUsingTopologiesMantleFrame
AgeGridsUsingTopologiesPMAG
SpreadingRateUsingTopologiesMantleFrame
SpreadingRateUsingTopologiesPMAG
Description: Model for subduction kinematics and carbonate platform interactions. Set the anchor plate ID to 701701 to use PMAG reference frame. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4729045
Note
This model provides both mantle and PMAG reference frame options.
PMAG Reference Frame
To access the PMAG rotation model with its anchor plate ID:
model = PlateModelManager().get_model("zahirovic2022")
rotation_files, anchor_pid = model.get_rotation_model(
reference_frame=ReferenceFrame.PmagReferenceFrame
)
rotation_model = pygplates.RotationModel(
rotation_files,
default_anchor_plate_id=anchor_pid
)
Mantle Reference Frame
For the default mantle reference frame (no anchor plate ID specification needed):
model = PlateModelManager().get_model("zahirovic2022")
rotation_files = model.get_rotation_model()
rotation_model = pygplates.RotationModel(rotation_files)
Recommended Alternative Models
Muller2025
Time range: 1800 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
SpreadingRate
Description: Mantle-reference plate model based on Cao et al. (2024), covering deep-time reconstructions. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15233548
Alfonso2024
Time range: 170 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
Isochrons
StaticPolygons
Terranes
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
SpreadingRate
Description: Modified global model focused on Western North America and the eastern Pacific tomotectonic reconstruction. Set the anchor plate ID to 701701 to use PMAG reference frame. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11392268
Note
This model provides both mantle and PMAG reference frame options.
PMAG Reference Frame
To access the PMAG rotation model with its anchor plate ID:
model = PlateModelManager().get_model("Alfonso2024")
rotation_files, anchor_pid = model.get_rotation_model(
reference_frame=ReferenceFrame.PmagReferenceFrame
)
rotation_model = pygplates.RotationModel(
rotation_files,
default_anchor_plate_id=anchor_pid
)
Mantle Reference Frame
For the default mantle reference frame (no anchor plate ID specification needed):
model = PlateModelManager().get_model("Alfonso2024")
rotation_files = model.get_rotation_model()
rotation_model = pygplates.RotationModel(rotation_files)
Cao2024
Time range: 1800 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Description: Global tectonic and plate-boundary reconstruction spanning ~1.8 billion years. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11536686
Muller2022
Time range: 1000 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
COBs
ContinentalPolygons
Cratons
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
AgeGridsPMAG
Description: This model is based on MERDITH2021 for relative plate motions but uses a mantle reference frame that orients the plates relative to the mantle using a set of geodynamic rules to exclude geodynamically unreasonable plate motions. The difference between the paleomagnetic and mantle reference frames grows cumulatively back in time - hence the two reconstructions (MERDITH2021 versus MULLER2022) diverge progressively in the Paleozoic and Proterozoic both in terms of paleolatitude and paleolongitude. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10297173
Merdith2021
Time range: 1000 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
Cratons
StaticPolygons
Topologies
COBs
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Description: This plate model for the last 1000 Ma is based on a paleomagnetic reference frame. In this model the longitudinal positions of the plates are unconstrained, due to the radial symmetry of the Earth’s magnetic field. It is broadly based on a modified combination of MULLER2016 for the last 230 Ma, the MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref model for 250-410 Ma and a newly constructed model for earlier times. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10346399
Clennett2020_m2019
Time range: 170 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Terranes
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
SpreadingRate
Description: Quantitative tomotectonic reconstruction of western North America and the eastern Pacific basin. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10348270
Note
This model can also be accessed using the alias Clennett2020. The two models are identical.
Clennett2020_s2013
Time range: 170 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Terranes
Topologies
Description: Quantitative tomotectonic reconstruction of western North America and the eastern Pacific basin. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10348270
Muller2019
Time range: 250 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
COBs
ContinentalPolygons
Hotspots
Johansson2018LIPs
SeafloorFabric
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Whittaker2015LIPs
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
SedimentThickness
Description: This plate model for the last 250 Ma is based on a mantle reference frame, ie it orients the plates relative to the mantle using a set of geodynamic rules to exclude geodynamically unreasonable plate motions, which typically result from models based on paleomagnetic data. The model also includes continental deformation both along major rift systems and collisional plate boundary zones. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10525286
Scotese_and_wright2018
Time range: 540 - 0 Ma
Layers:
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Description: Scotese and Wright (2018) deep-time plate reconstruction model. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5348491
Note
The model has plate topologies only for the last 100 Ma. And only locations on land can be reconstructed with this model.
Young2018
Time range: 410 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Description: Global plate and subduction-zone kinematics since the late Paleozoic. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10525369
Torsvikcocks2017
Time range: 540 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Note
Only locations on land can be reconstructed with this model.
Description: Earth History and Palaeogeography reconstruction resource (Torsvik and Cocks framework). See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
URL: https://www.earthdynamics.org/earthhistory/data_info.html
Matthews2016_mantle_ref
Time range: 410 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
Coastlines
Topologies
Description: This model is identical to MATTHEWS2016_pmag_ref in terms of relative plate models but uses a true polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model, viewed as a proxy for a mantle reference frame model. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10526156
Note
This model can also be accessed using the alias matthews2016 or using the following Python code.
model = model_manager.get_model(
"matthews2016",
reference_frame=ReferenceFrame.MantleReferenceFrame,
)
Matthews2016_pmag_ref
Time range: 410 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
StaticPolygons
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Description: This plate model represents the first continuous late Paleozoic to present-day global plate model with evolving plate boundaries, building on and extending two previously published models for the late Paleozoic (410-250 Ma) (Domeier and Torsvik, 2014) and the MULLER2016 model Mesozoic-Cenozoic (230-0 Ma). The model was designed for continuity during the 250-230 Ma transition period between the two models, used an updated absolute reference frame of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic model and added a new Paleozoic reconstruction for the Baltica-derived Alexander Terrane, now accreted to western North America. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
URL: https://gwsdoc.gplates.org/models#matthews2016_pmag_ref
Note
This model can also be accessed using the following Python code.
model = model_manager.get_model(
"matthews2016",
reference_frame=ReferenceFrame.PmagReferenceFrame,
)
Muller2016
Time range: 230 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
COBs
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
Description: This model represents an update of the SETON2012 model, both in terms of relative and absolute plate motions. The absolute reference used is based on the same hotspot model for the last 100 Ma as used in SETON2012, and a true-polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model for 230 to 100 Ma, with an added 10 deg longitudinal correction for the time period from 100-230 Ma in an attempt to minimise geodynamically unreasonable longitudinal plate motions, resulting in a modified mantle reference frame. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10565444
Scotese2016
Time range: 750 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Description: PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas reconstruction dataset for GPlates (Scotese framework). See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10596609
Note
This model is also known as Paleomap. The two model names can be used interchangeably to refer to the same model.
Zahirovic2016
Time range: 230 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
ContinentalPolygons
COBs
Isochrons
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Note
The COBs layer is the same as the ContinentalPolygons layer. This model does not include explicit COBs files; use the ContinentalPolygons files instead until further notice.
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
Description: Eastern Tethys tectonic evolution and deep-mantle-structure reconstruction since the latest Jurassic. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10531296
Gibbons2015
Time range: 300 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Description: Model reconciling India-Eurasia and intra-oceanic arc collisions in the central-eastern Tethys. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595658
Zahirovic2014
Time range: 300 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Description: Model reconciling India-Eurasia and intra-oceanic arc collisions in the central-eastern Tethys. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595658
Shephard2013
Time range: 200 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Description: Arctic tectonic evolution model since Pangea breakup integrating geology, geophysics, and mantle context. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595888
Gurnis2012
Time range: 140 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Description: Continuously closing-plate reconstruction model for self-consistent global plate polygons. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10596349
Seton2012
Time range: 200 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
COBs
ContinentalPolygons
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Time-dependent rasters:
AgeGrids
Description: This model represents the first global plate model with topological plate boundaries. It is based on a hybrid absolute reference frame, based on a moving hotspot model for the last 100 Ma, and a true- polar wander corrected paleomagnetic model for 200 to 100 Ma. This combination of absolute reference frames is viewed as a proxy for a mantle reference frame model. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10596049
Muller2008
Time range: 140 - 0 Ma
Layers:
StaticPolygons
Description: MULLER2008 model data archive.
URL: https://earthbyte.org/webdav/ftp/incoming/mchin/plate-models/MULLER2008,
Golonka
Time range: 540 - 0 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Description: Community-driven paleogeographic reconstruction model (GOLONKA) with deep-time coverage. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
URL: https://gwsdoc.gplates.org/models#golonka
Rodinia
Time range: 1100 - 530 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Description: Rodinia-focused Precambrian reconstruction model for deep-time paleogeography. See the ‘URL’ below for more details.
URL: https://gwsdoc.gplates.org/models#rodinia
Model Aliases
Some models have aliases, which are alternative names that can be used to refer to the same model. For example, the model “Muller2025” can also be referred to as “Shirmard2025”.
Default
The “Default” model is an alias for Zahirovic2022. The two models are identical.
Shirmard2025
The “Shirmard2025” model is an alias for Muller2025. The two models are identical.
Cao2023
The “Cao2023” model is an alias for Cao2024. The two models are identical.
Matthews2016
The “Matthews2016” model is an alias for Matthews2016_mantle_ref. The two models are identical.
Clennett2020
The “Clennett2020” model is an alias for Clennett2020_m2019. The two models are identical.
Paleomap
The “Paleomap” model is an alias for Scotese2016. The two models are identical.
Li2008
The “Li2008” model is an alias for Rodinia. The two models are identical.
Archived Models
The following models are archived and no longer actively maintained. They are retained for historical reference.
Domeier2014
Time range: 410 - 250 Ma
Layers:
Coastlines
StaticPolygons
Topologies
Description: unknown