What Is the Impact of Tectonic Plate Movement on Country Size? A Long-Term Forecast

The Earth's surface is under permanent alteration with the area of some nations growing or shrinking due to natural or man-made processes, for example sea level change. Here, based on the NUVEL 1A model, we forecast (in 10, 25, and 50 years) the changes in area for countries that are located on the border of the major tectonic plates. In the analysis we identify countries that are projected to gain or lose land due to the tectonic plate movement only. Over the next 50 years, the global balance of area gains (0.4 km(2)) and losses (12.7 km(2)) is negative. Thus, due to the movements of lithospheric plates, the land surface of the Earth will decrease by 12 km(2) in 50 years. Overall, the changes are not that spectacular, as in the case of changes in sea/water levels, but in some smaller countries, projected losses exceed a few thousand square metres a year, e.g., in Nepal the losses exceed 10,000 m(2) year(-1). Methodologically, this paper finds itself between metric analysis and essay, trying to provoke useful academic discussion and incite educators' interests to illustrate to students the tectonic movement and its force. Limitations of the used model have been discussed in the methodology section.

Automated summary

This study predicts the changes in area for countries located on the border of major tectonic plates using the NUVEL 1A model, finding that global land surface will decrease by 12 km^2 in the next 50 years. While these changes are not as dramatic as changes in sea levels, some smaller countries may experience significant annual land losses exceeding thousands of square meters.