The Coupling Effects Between Floating Insulation Plates and the Thermal Convection in their Bottoms---- An Understanding of Continental Drift

Abstract

The phenomenon of dumpling drift was discovered during a cooking process, which triggered our thinking of the continental drift. After refining the existing common problems, an experiment on the thermal convection interaction between the floating heat insulation plates and the bottoms is designed. Through controlling variables, this paper investigates the floating patterns of floating insulation plates of different sizes on a thermally convective surface and the principles behind them. The findings show that the appropriate sizing of a floating plate can result in the manifestation of cyclic reciprocating movement on the water’s surface. The periodic movement observed in this phenomenon can be attributed to the obstruction of heat exchange between the water surface and the surrounding air by the floating plate. Consequently, alterations in the direction of water flow induce corresponding shifts in water temperature, which subsequently affect the movement direction of the floating plate. The final outcome is characterized by a periodic reciprocal movement of the floating plate as it interacts with the heat convection occurring at the bottom. Floating plates that are either undersized or oversized would remain stationary without exhibiting any cyclic drift. The decrease in water depth leads to a diminished thermal drive, thereby amplifying the cyclical nature of the motion shown by the floating plate. The above findings indicate that the dimensions of the continental plates present on the Earth's surface have an impact on both the velocity and duration of their movement. The observation that a plate that is too small stagnates on top of a subduction current, while a plate that is too large stagnates on top of an upwelling current, suggests that the smaller continent of New Zealand is likely to experience a decrease in elevation due to its location above a subduction current. Conversely, the larger continent of Africa is expected to undergo uplift and attain a higher elevation as a result of its position above an upwelling current.