The tectonic drift of the Anatolian Plate is notably independent from its surroundings. While the Arabian Plate moves northward, similar to the African Plate, the Anatolian Plate exhibits a counterclockwise rotation. This motion can be examined through the lens of the convection rolls model to see whether it offers any additional insights. The outcome is striking and reveals two key points:
- The combined structure of convection rolls and plate boundaries appears to create the conditions for a central pivot point around which the Anatolian Plate rotates.
- If a fixed point within the convection model exerts a dominant influence on tectonic drift, then the convection rolls also offer a framework for understanding the subduction of the African Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
The map showing drift vectors can be found at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19475705.2024.2446588#abstract
The most significant observation is that this central pivot lies near the 32nd parallel, precisely where two mantle upwelling lines intersect at approximately 32.1°E. Along this latitude, the convection roll system is aligned exactly north–south, making it a key structural feature, comparable in importance to the equator and the 64°N/S parallels. Interestingly, this location corresponds roughly to the eastern edge of the Nile River delta. It has previously been noted that the deltas of the world’s largest rivers—especially the Amazon at the equator—are situated at critical junctions within the convection rolls framework. https://magicmagma.com/2022/10/04/what-do-the-three-famous-rivers-amazon-nile-and-mississippi-have-in-common/
Given this fixed relationship between surface tectonics and mantle convection geometry, the concept of rollback requires reconsideration. In this case, the European continent appears to be drifting away from the latitude at which the African Plate subducts beneath it. Whether we interpret this as northward retreat of the African slab or northeastward drift of Europe, the geological consequences are functionally the same.
The side-view depiction of African Plate subduction shows how numerous geological features have developed over the last 35 million years, since subduction began. These reflect the continuing northeastward movement of the Eurasian Plate, while the northern edge of the African Plate descends beneath it.
This is from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqK-CbuM3Eo
Just to clarify a bit what drives the tectonic drift anomaly of Anatolia, a particular bit of convection roll can be pointed out:
It can also be pointed out that most geothermal activity is found in this part of Turkey. Take a look at this map:
It is from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Geothermal-map-of-Turkey-MTA-2021b_fig1_365230456
The red area in Western Turkey coincides with the convection roll taking part in driving the rotation of the local tectonic plate. This can explain the geothermal activity anomaly.
Note that the appearence of the aggregate of vectors of GPS drift measurements of the Anatolian Peninsula is not only circular, but also basicly from east to west. The mathematical precision of the drift can only be possible because of a very regular system of convection rolls underneath. The rolls following the drift are coupled to the layers above, the ones opposing are decoupled. Thereby the engine driving this interesting rotational drift of the plate can be explained thoroughly.
Just to clarify further how the convection rolls move the tectonic plate, this drawing is added:
The red areas provide force for the circle to move anti-clockwise in an almost circular way. As previously mentioned, the pivotal point is also a key point within the convection rolls system as a whole, due to the exact N-S alignment of convection rolls at the 32nd latitude.
Magic Magma 