OpenGeofiction
Evening Everyone!
I created a rough map of possible plates and faults in our world.
http://s271.photobucket.com/user/PColumbus611/media/OGF%20Faultlines_zpshs1j7lnb.jpg.html (I tried to add this as an image, but am unable to)
I have not studied geology. I drew these lines based on the shapes of the landmasses. If anyone wants to clean this up or improve on this idea, feel free! I named the plates based on the continents. Some of the smaller plates are named after a randomly chosen country.
The arrows represent the possible movement of the plates.
They are:
.1 The Oranotic Plate
.2 The Pela-Kartum Plate
.3 The North Ereva Plate
.4 The Ereva-Hesperic Plate
.5 The West Uletha Plate
.6 The East Uletha Plate
.7 The Tarephene Plate
.8 The Ataraxie Plate
.9 The North Archanic Plate
.10 The Dandria Plate
.11 The Antarephene Plate
.12 The South Archanic Plate
Discussion
Comment from TRJ on 23 September 2016 at 02:08
Hey PColumbus,
We have a long and complicated history at OGF of trying to figure out a system of coherent plate tectonics for our world: http://tile.opengeofiction.net/wiki/index.php/Talk:OGF:Plate_tectonics\ I like the idea of plate boundries that run through landmasses, because these also exist in the real world, but you have to realize that these boundries also have geographic consequences. Where two (continental) plates collide, giant mountain ranges will form. The nations that lay along transforming plates will suffer from devastating earthquakes. Rift valleys will form when two plates diverge.
If you have a blanco map of the OGF world, with just the landmasses, there will be numerous ways in which you could fill in the plate boundries and their movements. The problem is that there are already a lot of countries with existing geology/geography, (natural) borders, climate and from these three factors emerging cultures and economies in place. Take for example the Great Rift Sound. A lot is written about this rift system, yet in your proposed map a mountain range would be the more likely to exist there.
There are other points where your map doesnt make sense, some things look a bit off even on a blanco map and some things just don’t add up to what is written in the wiki. But my point is not that your map isn’t correct, I’m sure I or other members of the OGF-community could help you improve it. We could create several geologically sound plate tectonic systems on a blanco map. But I think it is nearly impossible to create one for a map that is already partially filled in with countries, where the creators only thought about geology on a national scale.
There are a lot of geological features that makes sense on a national or regional scale, but contradict each other on a continental or even intercontinental scale. To make a correct geological map of the entire OGF world, you would need concensus about mountain ranges, rift valleys, earth quake zones, climate etc etc etc. Inevitably people would have to change existing mapped areas, wiki entries and review the plans they had for their countries. I fear it would be extremely difficult to get everybody on board.
Creating a plate tectonic system for OGF is a noble, but (almost) impossible cause.
Happy mapping,
TRJ (geology student)
Comment from Ūdilugbulgidħū on 23 September 2016 at 10:13
Very clearly explained TRJ.
@PColumbus73 - if there are scientists interested in tectonics in your country, you could consider building facilities related to or affiliated to the ISORC research body.
Happy mapping Udi
Comment from PColumbus73 on 23 September 2016 at 12:31
I appreciate your input, TRJ. But, if I may counter your argument, OGF members have created unofficial climate and ocean current maps that are not universally followed either. I created this map after thinking about locations of possible fault zones near my countries in Tarephea (the location of Drevet/Wustesonne are pretty isolated, allowing more freedom than others). This map was not intended to be considered as a set-in-stone guideline for our planet, but an aide for people who want it.
Again, I greatly appreciate your input and knowledge on the subject! :-)
@Udi - I didn’t that existed, there may be a joint Drevet-Wustesonne geological service in the works.
Comment from Bstn on 23 September 2016 at 14:07
Comment from Bstn on 23 September 2016 at 14:08
Image link as the image won’t show up here
Comment from Thunderbird on 23 September 2016 at 15:58
@Bstn: That’s hilarious you placed a mountain exactly where I was planning to map a mountain range in my country! Awesome!
Comment from isleño on 23 September 2016 at 18:22
For anyone who’s interested, there’s a map of mountain ranges that anyone can add to:
http://wiki.opengeofiction.net/wiki/index.php/OGF:Map_of_known_mountains
Info on how to add to the map is located at the talk page there.
Comment from Alejandro24 on 25 September 2016 at 21:57
I have read all of the discussion, and it doesn’t look imposible as it seems. Based in the map of mountain ranges provided by isleño, I found a pattern of mountain ranges from Kartumia, Antarephia, Ereva, Orano, Uletha and finishing in Tarephia.
Comment from UnSoiDisantOracle on 26 September 2016 at 04:53
What does the red represent Alejandro24? Divergent boundaries / Rifts?
Comment from isleño on 26 September 2016 at 18:06
To be clear, the mountains map has only just started. I imagine there will be many more additions to it in the future. It hasn’t even really been announced yet. :-)
Along the lines of what TRJ said: I think it may be best to avoid a full plate tectonics model, because it could create complex and far-reaching hassles for current and future users, without noticeably increasing the realism for most people viewing the map. In a case like this, I think it’s probably easier to simply say that there’s no scientific consensus and just give everyone the freedom to imagine whatever local geology they want, within reason of course.
Comment from Alejandro24 on 29 September 2016 at 19:55
@dono87 The red lines represent a convergent boundaries or subduction between tectonic plates.
BTW, there sould be a base for the tectonics and geology in the world, it cannot be somekind of free. But of course, the tectonics of this world would not have to emulate the reality.
Comment from UnSoiDisantOracle on 7 October 2016 at 17:58
I was kind of hoping divergent.. I think convergent in the map you drew means mountains through the center of Ataraxia which is not exactly what I had in mind ;) (maybe if it corresponded to the mountain range at the northern border of Ataraxia/Kojo it could fit)