Triple Junctions

consider now transform boundary BC:

C
BC is the relative velocity
between the plates
N
B
the locus of a point travelling up
C
A
and down bc is now the same as
N bc
vector BC
C
this is because the relative motion of B and C
is along their boundary
B
bc lastly consider the relative motion of A and C
E

N C

C
ac

relative velocity vector AC is

orthogonal to the plate margin
ac
ac is locus of points along ridge
ridge crest must pass through
A
midpoint of vector CA if
spreading is symmetrical.
E

Triple Junctions

now combine all the velocity space vectors: C

to determine stability,
N
ab, bc
draw the velocity lines
ac
on a vector diagram
A
C
if the velocity lines intersect at a
A
point, the configuration is stable
J
that point has the property of
B
being able to travel up and down
ac
E
any velocity line (or plate margin)
FZ

since J lies on ab, bc and on ac, this

configuration is stable
this situation (an RTF triple junction)
exists off Vancouver Island:

QC

ab, bc

North
America

Pacific
Juan de
Fuca

Triple Junctions

if we now make a change in the properties C

of the boundaries:
to determine stability,
N
bc
draw the velocity lines
A
ac
on
a
vector
diagram
C
the velocity lines do not intersect at
A a single point
ab
this situation is inherently unstable
B
ab
A still subducts (obliquely) under B
ac
E
overriding plate B would override
bc
the BC boundary too
as C spreads from A, a wedge-shaped hole would open up
between C and B
not allowed!

Triple Junctions
A

example: three trenches (TTT):

i. unstable arrangement
N

C
bc

ab

you can envision where plates

B and C would advance to, if
they were not subducted:
A

ac

B
A
E

velocity space diagram

shows no unique
intersection, hence will
be unstable

instead the configuration

above evolves and is stable.

Triple Junctions
example: three trenches (TTT):

ii. a stable arrangement

change direction of
C
subduction of C to parallel
all velocity lines now intersect at
to bc
a common point
N
this occurs because C is
ab
subducting under A in a direction
parallel to the BC boundary
bc C
why is BC not a transform?
A
the vector for AC represents the
B
movement of a point on A
ac
relative to a point on C
E
has no effect on B-C interaction.