Paleogeographic Evolution Chart
This chapter introduces the Paleogeographic Evolution Chart tool. It shows how to obtain paleogeographic indicator data along a time profile.
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What is the Paleogeographic Evolution Chart?
The Paleogeographic Evolution Chart is a specialized tool within the Time Machine platform that enables users to visualize the temporal evolution of paleogeographic indicators—such as paleolatitude, paleotemperature, and paleo-elevation—based on modern geographic inputs. It lowers the barrier to accessing and interpreting complex geological datasets, making deep-time Earth system data more usable for a wide range of disciplines, from tectonics and paleoecology to climate modeling.
How to Use the Paleogeographic Evolution Chart?
This function enables users to generate temporal evolution curves of paleogeographic indicators (e.g., paleolatitude, paleotemperature, and paleo-elevation) based on modern geographic input. (A) The location search panel, where users input modern place names (e.g., “New Delhi”) to generate paleogeographic indicator charts. (B) The parameter configuration panel, where users select the desired paleogeographic variable and define chart settings such as title, axis labels and time range (e.g., 100 Ma to 0 Ma). (C) The interactive chart window displaying paleolatitude evolution curves for selected locations (e.g., Sydney and New Delhi), visualizing their latitudinal drift over geological time. Users can export the data in .xlsx format and download visual outputs as .png or .svg files for further analysis or publication.
To use this function, simply enter a modern location (e.g., "Changsha city"), select a paleogeographic parameter (e.g., paleolatitude), and define the time interval of interest (e.g., from 410 Ma to present). The tool will automatically retrieve the paleo-position data using the selected plate tectonic model, calculate the desired indicator, and display an interactive evolution chart. Users can customize chart titles and axis labels (see Panel B in Figure 1) and export both data and visuals for further analysis (Panel C).
Case Study: Visualizing the Latitudinal Changes of the South China Block Since 410 Ma
As a case example, we use the Paleogeographic Evolution Chart to compare the paleolatitude evolution of the South China Block under different plate motion models (e.g., Scotese et al., 2018, Matthew et al., 2016, Merdith et al., 2021) from 410 million years ago to the present. This comparison reveals how model assumptions influence reconstructions of tectonic drift and paleogeographic context, offering insight into South China's long-term geodynamic history.
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