Professor LIU Zhonglan from the College of Earth Sciences at Jilin University (JLU), in collaboration with international scientists, published groundbreaking findings in the journal Nature on April 11, 2024.

Titled Mid-ocean ridge unfaulting revealed by magmatic intrusions, the research focused on reverse-faulting earthquakes occurring at mid-ocean ridges and explored the dynamic mechanisms behind their formation, challenging the traditional theory of plate tectonics.

The research revealed that seismic activity along the North Atlantic mid-ocean ridge in 2022 uncovered a phenomenon of tectonic shortening, which contradicts the conventional theory of tectonic extension.

Subsequent analysis confirmed that reverse-faulting earthquakes left identifiable traces on the seafloor, and further geodynamic simulations provided insight into the underlying mechanical processes.

Professor Göran Ekström from Columbia University led the interpretation of the seismic data. Doctor Jean Arthur Olive and Professor Javier Escartin from École Normale Supérieure, along with doctor Manon Bickert from Université de Bretagne Occidentale in France, conducted the submarine topography analysis. Professors Roger Buck from Columbia University and Professor LIU from JLU directed the geodynamic modeling efforts.