GPS Kinematics of the Northern Part of the Eurasian Continent and Its Possible Geodynamic Interpretation

—The leading role in geotectonics is currently played by the neomobilistic plate tectonic concept which is based on the division of the the Earth’s crust/lithosphere into plates, blocks, and massifs of different sizes. These crustal units move laterally, driven by the forces that are external to them. For example, it is assumed that under the action of gravity, a plate slips off the mid-ocean ridge and then moves horizontally following the heavy subducting slab sinking into the mantle. The motion due to viscous coupling between plates and convective flow in the mantle is considered as most important factor. Mechanical action from the neighboring lithospheric plates is not excluded. The data accumulated to date on the geodetic (mainly GPS) measurements of these real movements within the Eurasian continent indicate that the size of the northern part of the latter has significantly increased. This increase is not taken into account in the existing notions of geodynamics of the Earth’s crust/lithosphere. Several possible interpretations of this phenomenon are discussed.