<p>Scientific <a href="http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/howgpsworks.php">GPS</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_laser_ranging">SLR</a> have been used for <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2003JB002944/full">some time</a> now, and the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/97JB00514/pdf">measurements</a> are rather accurate. Not only do we measure horizontal movements of tectonic plates, but also uplift as e.g. in the Tibetan and Colorado plateaus. </p>

<p>Before the GPS was introduced, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleomagnetism">paleomagnetism</a> were used in some studies to estimate the velocities; The age of oceanic crust are estimated by various methods and the travel distance is estimated from the width of the magnetic polarized bands in the ocean floor. To understand <a href="http://www.scotese.com/earth.htm">paleogeography</a> and make good models we need to incorporate all branches of geology. E.g. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biostratigraphy">fossil records</a>, paleomagnetism, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiometric_dating">radiometric age estimation</a> of rocks. </p>

<p>Some active faults (E.g. San Andreas) can also be directly measured with laser ranging or, in some cases, with a measurement tape to measure deformation of trenches or railway tracks. </p>

<p>Still, scientists are trying to understand the exact driving forces behind plate tectonics. <a href="http://www.earthbyte.org/Resources/Pdf/Ghosh-Holt-2012-Science-PlateMotionsStressesGlobalDynamicModels.pdf">Modelling</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_convection">mantel dynamics</a> is an interesting field of research and many questions remains. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-26T20:36:11.950Z
2015-06-26T21:31:42.393Z
2015-06-26T21:31:42.393Z
user2821
<p>I am curious about current technology but I am particularly interested in what techniques were employed prior to the advent of satellite technology.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-26T23:26:06.303Z
The correct term is "plate tectonics", by the way.
Gimelist
<geology><plate-tectonics><tectonics>
How is/was continental drift monitored?
reddit
# How is/was continental drift monitored?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-06-26)

I am curious about current technology but I am particularly interested in what techniques were employed prior to the advent of satellite technology.

**Tags:** geology, plate-tectonics, tectonics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The correct term is "plate tectonics", by the way.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-06-26. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

Scientific [GPS](http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/howgpsworks.php) and [SLR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_laser_ranging) have been used for [some time](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2003JB002944/full) now, and the [measurements](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/97JB00514/pdf) are rather accurate. Not only do we measure horizontal movements of tectonic plates, but also uplift as e.g. in the Tibetan and Colorado plateaus.

Before the GPS was introduced, [paleomagnetism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleomagnetism) were used in some studies to estimate the velocities; The age of oceanic crust are estimated by various methods and the travel distance is estimated from the width of the magnetic polarized bands in the ocean floor. To understand [paleogeography](http://www.scotese.com/earth.htm) and make good models we need to incorporate all branches of geology. E.g. [fossil records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biostratigraphy), paleomagnetism, [radiometric age estimation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiometric_dating) of rocks.

Some active faults (E.g. San Andreas) can also be directly measured with laser ranging or, in some cases, with a measurement tape to measure deformation of trenches or railway tracks.

Still, scientists are trying to understand the exact driving forces behind plate tectonics. [Modelling](http://www.earthbyte.org/Resources/Pdf/Ghosh-Holt-2012-Science-PlateMotionsStressesGlobalDynamicModels.pdf) of [mantel dynamics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_convection) is an interesting field of research and many questions remains.


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