Data from: Ongoing India-Eurasia collision predominantly driven by Sumatra-Java slab pull
Data files
Jul 11, 2025 version files 10.64 GB
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Model1.zip
1.70 GB
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Model2.zip
1.70 GB
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Model3.zip
1.69 GB
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Model4.zip
1.70 GB
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Model5.zip
2.18 GB
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Model6.zip
1.68 GB
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README.md
4.46 KB
Abstract
Continued India-Eurasia convergence since the early Paleogene has led to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. Yet the primary driving mechanisms of this protracted convergence remain debated. Here we provide the holistic quantification of various driving forces to this convergence using high-resolution, plate-boundary-resolving global convection models. We present six comparison models. The first grouping of models, comprising Models 1 through 3, is designed to examine the role of plate-boundary forces at the India-Tibet collision zone. With Model 1 being the reference model, Models 2 and 3 examine the plate-boundary force at the India-Tibet collision zone by varying the weak zone factor and the Indian slab structure. The second grouping of models includes Models 1 and 4, focusing on the role of plate-boundary forces at the Sumatra-Java boundary. The third grouping, consisting of Models 1, 5, and 6, explores the effects of basal drag beneath the Indo-Australian plate. For each model, we provide raw data from global model calculations within the depth range of 0-400 km. Our study implies that slab pull from Sumatra-Java subduction is the predominant driving force of India-Eurasia convergence.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.d7wm37qd4
Description of the data and file structure
The experimental work involved collecting data from high-resolution global convection models to study the ongoing India-Eurasia convergence, which has led to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. These models integrated observational constraints to quantify various driving forces behind this convergence.
Files and variables
File: Model1.zip
Description: Model 1 is the best-fitting model that reproduces the surface plate observations, including plate motions and plate deformation patterns. The results of Model 1 represent the driving mechanisms behind the India-Eurasia convergence in the real Earth.
Model1.zip contains five folders, each named to represent data at a specific depth. Within each folder, there are three CSV files corresponding to that depth:
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CSV files named with “primary_contour” contain the coordinates of each point along with velocity and pressure data.
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CSV files named with “secondary_contour” include the coordinates of each point along with viscosity and strain rate second invariant (strainrate_sqrt_2inv) data.
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CSV files named with “viscstress_contour” provide the coordinates of each point along with stress tensor data.
Explanation of variables in the CSV files:
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“Points:0”, “Points:1”, “Points:2” refer to the coordinates of points in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. All points are inside a sphere with a radius of 1, and each point’s coordinates are (Points:0, Points:1, Points:2). (Dimensionless)
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“velocity:0”, “velocity:1”, “velocity:2” refer to the velocity components in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, meaning the velocity at each point is (velocity:0, velocity:1, velocity:2). Unit: mm/yr
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“viscstress_diag:0”, “viscstress_diag:1”, “viscstress_diag:2”, “viscstress_offdiag:0”, “viscstress_offdiag:1”, “viscstress_offdiag:2” represent the six components of the stress tensor. “viscstress_diag:0”, “viscstress_diag:1”, “viscstress_diag:2” are the diagonal elements of the tensor, while “viscstress_offdiag:0”, “viscstress_offdiag:1”, “viscstress_offdiag:2” are the off-diagonal elements.
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“pressure”: dynamic pressure. Unit: Pa
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“strainrate_sqrt_2inv”: the second invariant of the strain rate tensor. Unit: 1/s
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“viscosity”: Unit: Pa·s
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“Normals:0”,”Normals:1”,”Normals:2” refer to the normal vector of each point, which is (Normals:0, Normals:1, Normals:2).
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“Rad” is the distance from each point to the center of the sphere, which is calculated as Rad = sqrt(Points:0 * Points:0 + Points:1 * Points:1 + Points:2 * Points:2).
File: Model2.zip
Description: Model 2 builds on Model 1 by varying the weak zone factor to facilitate the effective transmission of the Indian slab pull to the surface plate, and it discusses the role of plate-boundary forces at the India-Tibet collision zone.
The file structure and variables of Model 2 are the same as those described in Model 1.
File: Model4.zip
Description: Model 4 discusses the role of plate-boundary forces at the Sumatra-Java boundary by increasing the weak zone factor, thereby enhancing the coupling between the subducting slab and the overlying plate.
The file structure and variables of Model 4 are the same as those described in Model 1.
File: Model5.zip
Description: Model 5 examines the role of basal drag through incorporating mantle’s high-temperature thermal anomalies.
The file structure and variables of Model 5 are the same as those described in Model 1.
File: Model3.zip
Description: Model 3 explores the impact of different mantle structures on surface motion and deformation by altering the structure of the subducting slab beneath the Tibetan Plateau.
The file structure and variables of Model 3 are the same as those described in Model 1.
File: Model6.zip
Description: Model 6 investigates the role of basal drag by reducing the lower mantle viscosity.
The file structure and variables of Model 6 are the same as those described in Model 1.
Code/software
You can view and process the .csv files using free or open-source software such as LibreOffice Calc or Google Sheets for basic tasks, or programming languages like Python and C++ for advanced data processing and analysis.