Constraining relationship between mantle convection and supercontinent cycles

Supercontinent cycles have been the notable feature of Earth's surface evolution.

They have important since they have influenced such processes as mountain building, rapid climate swings, mineral deposits, and major events in the evolution of life and the atmosphere. But how is this critical process, of alternately amalgamating continental blocks and then ripping them apart, driven?

What is the relationship between the underlying mantle convection and the supercontinent cycle? Detailed plate motion histories extending beyond one supercontinent cycle are now available (Merdith et al., 2017).

Mantle circulation models (MCM), where the surface motion of mantle convection models are driven by plate motion histories will allow this relationship to be investigated (Davies et al., 2012, Fig 1).

These MCM models will predict the complete mantle structure at all times, and at present day can be compared with seismic observations of Earth's structure. These results will be utilised in dynamic geodynamic models to understand and constrain the drivers.