Assume it is the year one billion

[james_davis_nicoll]

How can one maintain the Earth's ability to support complex life?

Comments

[graydon]

Seem to recall some discussion that plate tectonics are already slowing down significantly; the error bars from trying to graph eroded orogeny volumes and what that does to atmospheric chemistry aren't small, though. The implications for life involve mineral recycling; how much bio-available calcium, potassium, iron, etc. is there? (there's the continued controversy over what the particulate plumes from East Asian industrialization have done to Antarctic marine production; it can be really small absolute amounts controlling biosphere productivity.)

The other thing is that we're getting increasing consensus that Venus went from wet with an active surface to its present state in less than a billion years, but just what or how remains an entirely open question. So the time frame is plausible for "plate tectonics stops".

[ba_munronoe]

Well, thank you for expanding my ignorance. :)

Any suggestions for reading re what's new in plate tectonics?

[graydon]

Alas, no; the above is random clicking leading to trying to find the actual article. NOT a field where I can claim it would even nod back to acknowledge the acquaintance.