# Q&A

**URL:** https://discourse.gplates.org/c/q-a/6.md

[Latest](https://discourse.gplates.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.gplates.org/categories.md)

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## [About the Q&A category](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/about-the-q-a-category/20)

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**Author:** [@mchin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/mchin)\
**Replies:** 0

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Questions and answers. Let’s start asking questions.

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## [What is the package named gprm?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-is-the-package-named-gprm/3279)

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**Author:** [@LavieNguyen](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/LavieNguyen)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [25 September 2026 21:47 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-is-the-package-named-gprm/3279 "2026-09-25T21:47:09Z")

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Hello everyone: I recently explored a few Python scripts which the authors used pygplates as well as gprm to explore global palaeo-reconstruction models. For example, in one script, the author stated: from gprm.utils im…

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## [What is Ana's MS12 model](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-is-anas-ms12-model/3265)

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**Author:** [@Haibin\_Yang](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Haibin_Yang)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [21 July 2026 07:14 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-is-anas-ms12-model/3265 "2026-07-21T07:14:43Z")

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When I check the \*gpml file, I find \*\*gml:name Lhasa subduction zone 180-100Ma according to Ana’s model MS12 \</gml:name\> it says the reconstruciton is based on Ana’s model MS12. does anyone know who is Ana? Is there …

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## [ColorByProperty with angularRadius, decimals?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/colorbyproperty-with-angularradius-decimals/3258)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [10 June 2026 02:03 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/colorbyproperty-with-angularradius-decimals/3258 "2026-06-10T02:03:19Z")

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I’ve been messing around with using GPlates to make a fictional star map and ran into an extremely niche issue: I can’t distinguish decimal values using color by property on circles using the angularRadius property. My g…

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## [How do I fix broken view](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-do-i-fix-broken-view/3257)

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**Author:** [@WilliamDolley](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/WilliamDolley)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [27 May 2026 21:36 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-do-i-fix-broken-view/3257 "2026-05-27T21:36:33Z")

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The entire view panel for a 3d orthographic view is suddenly broken for some reason and I cant seem to fix it. I opened gplates one day and the view just would not work as seen in the photos attached. I tried deleting a…

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## [ColorByProperty draw style not applying colours to shapefile layer in GPlates 2.5.0](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/colorbyproperty-draw-style-not-applying-colours-to-shapefile-layer-in-gplates-2-5-0/3244)

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**Author:** [@cchan](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/cchan)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [22 April 2026 07:05 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/colorbyproperty-draw-style-not-applying-colours-to-shapefile-layer-in-gplates-2-5-0/3244 "2026-04-22T07:05:02Z")

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Hello, I am using GPlates 2.5.0 on Windows and I am trying to apply colours to a shapefile layer using the ColorByProperty draw style, but the colours are not being applied to the map. My setup: Layer: a polygon shap…

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## [How do you enable the new teeth for subduction zones?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-do-you-enable-the-new-teeth-for-subduction-zones/868)

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**Author:** [@qfeys](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/qfeys)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [14 April 2026 17:20 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-do-you-enable-the-new-teeth-for-subduction-zones/868 "2026-04-14T17:20:43Z")

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I saw that the new 2.5 updates had teeth on the subduction zones, so I wanted to test that out. However, I can’t figure out how to make them appear. I have been looking around, but I can’t find any documentation where th…

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## [Trimmed attribute table column when exporting](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/trimmed-attribute-table-column-when-exporting/3238)

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**Author:** [@isbrmgh](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/isbrmgh)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [14 April 2026 17:15 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/trimmed-attribute-table-column-when-exporting/3238 "2026-04-14T17:15:12Z")

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Hi, I’ve had current issue when exporting some files with quite long columns (there are no issue with shorter columns). I’ve rechecked the column order and notice that the GPlates trims some columns at the end of the at…

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## [Hellinger Tool: "Calculate uncertainties" fails with Python error "Unknown error" (Calculate pole works)](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/hellinger-tool-calculate-uncertainties-fails-with-python-error-unknown-error-calculate-pole-works/3199)

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**Author:** [@Shin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Shin)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [10 April 2026 04:45 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/hellinger-tool-calculate-uncertainties-fails-with-python-error-unknown-error-calculate-pole-works/3199 "2026-04-10T04:45:34Z")

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Hi, I’m using the Hellinger Tool in GPlates to estimate an Euler pole. Calculate pole works correctly, but Calculate uncertainties always fails with: Python error: “Unknown error.” When I click Calculate uncertai…

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## [Just started using Arch Linux and I can't find the solution to this](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/just-started-using-arch-linux-and-i-cant-find-the-solution-to-this/3232)

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**Author:** [@Nicklsee](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Nicklsee)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [7 April 2026 01:55 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/just-started-using-arch-linux-and-i-cant-find-the-solution-to-this/3232 "2026-04-07T01:55:31Z")

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So I am trying to get GPlates on an old laptop that I have refitted with Arch Linux because I want to learn more about the OS. I was able to get quite far before running into an issue that I can’t figure out. Google and …

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## [Create PolyonOnSphere with interior rings in older pygplates version 2.2.0.28](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/create-polyononsphere-with-interior-rings-in-older-pygplates-version-2-2-0-28/3230)

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**Author:** [@LavieNguyen](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/LavieNguyen)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [26 March 2026 15:48 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/create-polyononsphere-with-interior-rings-in-older-pygplates-version-2-2-0-28/3230 "2026-03-26T15:48:36Z")

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Hello: May I ask whether it is possible to create a PolygonOnSphere with interior rings in older pygplates version - 2.2.0.28? The more recent version of pygplates (at least 0.36.0), one can create a PolygonOnSphere wi…

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## [(Post-restored-by-MC) -- How to colour resolved line topology by boundary type (transform vs subduction) in GPlates 2.5?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/post-restored-by-mc-how-to-colour-resolved-line-topology-by-boundary-type-transform-vs-subduction-in-gplates-2-5/3227)

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**Author:** [@mchin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/mchin)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [24 March 2026 02:55 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/post-restored-by-mc-how-to-colour-resolved-line-topology-by-boundary-type-transform-vs-subduction-in-gplates-2-5/3227 "2026-03-24T02:55:10Z")

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This post was originally posted by a user named “marko”. The system detected “New user typed too fast“ and silenced the user. The user deleted the account by self later. I have restored the post here just in case marko’s…

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## [Fracture zones in the Hellinger tool](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/fracture-zones-in-the-hellinger-tool/3228)

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**Author:** [@dan](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/dan)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [20 March 2026 12:16 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/fracture-zones-in-the-hellinger-tool/3228 "2026-03-20T12:16:17Z")

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I remember that (20 years ago!) in the suite of fortran codes for inverting plate kinematic data developped by Ted Chang, Jean-Yves Royer & Bessie Kirkwood one could distinguish between magnetic anomaly picks and fractur…

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## [Installing GPlates on Arch linux](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/installing-gplates-on-arch-linux/3217)

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**Author:** [@MrUks](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/MrUks)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [27 February 2026 16:35 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/installing-gplates-on-arch-linux/3217 "2026-02-27T16:35:41Z")

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Hi everyone, I’ve been doing some tests to migrate my current pc to Arch Linux and honestly this is the last hurdle I’m trying to get through prior to migrating. I’ve seen there have been several options available, but …

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## [Error saving edited shapefile in GPlates which made the original files can't be reloaded in QGIS](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/error-saving-edited-shapefile-in-gplates-which-made-the-original-files-cant-be-reloaded-in-qgis/3208)

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**Author:** [@isbrmgh](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/isbrmgh)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [9 February 2026 08:50 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/error-saving-edited-shapefile-in-gplates-which-made-the-original-files-cant-be-reloaded-in-qgis/3208 "2026-02-09T08:50:28Z")

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Hi all, I was assigning new plate ID in GPlate from my shapefile. However, I can’t save it in GPlates and just ejected them. When I wanted to reload the original shapefile in QGIS it appeared invalid data source (I as…

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## [Points not reconstructing correctly in Gplates after assigning PlateID in ArcGIS Pro](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/points-not-reconstructing-correctly-in-gplates-after-assigning-plateid-in-arcgis-pro/3192)

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**Author:** [@yazizzz](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/yazizzz)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [15 January 2026 13:31 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/points-not-reconstructing-correctly-in-gplates-after-assigning-plateid-in-arcgis-pro/3192 "2026-01-15T13:31:46Z")

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Hi,I’m encountering some issues with plate reconstruction in GPlates and would appreciate your guidance. Background: I created a shapefile containing numerous points in ArcGIS Pro I followed the tutorial in Sectio…

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## [Numerical raster cannot be exported](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/numerical-raster-cannot-be-exported/3171)

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**Author:** [@yuhaodai](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/yuhaodai)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [27 November 2025 03:24 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/numerical-raster-cannot-be-exported/3171 "2025-11-27T03:24:23Z")

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Hi there, I cannot export the numerical raster. No file is created but the software says the export is complete. The colour raster works fine. How can I resolve this issue?

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## [Time slider starts at too long ago](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/time-slider-starts-at-too-long-ago/3149)

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**Author:** [@aeryn](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/aeryn)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [10 November 2025 20:30 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/time-slider-starts-at-too-long-ago/3149 "2025-11-10T20:30:39Z")

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Hi, while colliding continents at some point I accidentally set the time to 7300 instead of 730 and the starting point of the slider is now forever set at 7300 instead of 1000 (meaning 1000 is near the end of the slider …

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## [How to export geology map of certain area with longitudes and latitudes on the edge?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-export-geology-map-of-certain-area-with-longitudes-and-latitudes-on-the-edge/1290)

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**Author:** [@languanglight](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/languanglight)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [14 October 2025 00:00 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-export-geology-map-of-certain-area-with-longitudes-and-latitudes-on-the-edge/1290 "2025-10-14T00:00:29Z")

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GPlates Cesium How to export geology map of certain area with longitudes and latitudes on the edge?

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## [Windows 11 Compatibility](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/windows-11-compatibility/1268)

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**Author:** [@dhairyam.singh](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/dhairyam.singh)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [16 July 2025 11:36 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/windows-11-compatibility/1268 "2025-07-16T11:36:48Z")

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Hi GPlates Support, Can you please confirm if GPlates is compatible with Windows 11 ? I would appreciate your prompt response. Many thanks, Dhairyam.

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## [Assistance with Paleoposition Reconstruction Issue](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/assistance-with-paleoposition-reconstruction-issue/1258)

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**Author:** [@yeoncheol](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/yeoncheol)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [10 July 2025 18:49 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/assistance-with-paleoposition-reconstruction-issue/1258 "2025-07-10T18:49:10Z")

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As shown in the attached figure, I have attempted to reconstruct the paleopositions of several dinosaur fossil localities using their shapefile data. However, some of the points are being projected into the ocean, and…

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## [How to calculate a best-fitting Euler pole from a fault trace?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-calculate-a-best-fitting-euler-pole-from-a-fault-trace/1238)

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**Author:** [@granite-rhyolite](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/granite-rhyolite)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [7 June 2025 17:22 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-calculate-a-best-fitting-euler-pole-from-a-fault-trace/1238 "2025-06-07T17:22:10Z")

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Howdy, I’m currently working on a detailed kinematic-palinspastic model of the North American Cordillera. In Alaska and western Canada there are many strike-slip faults (e.g. the Tintina fault system) that transect and …

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## [Cant Edit Reconstruction Pole Adjustment](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/cant-edit-reconstruction-pole-adjustment/1235)

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**Author:** [@ling](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/ling)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [4 June 2025 03:30 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/cant-edit-reconstruction-pole-adjustment/1235 "2025-06-04T03:30:07Z")

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Hello! I’m just starting to learn gplates and I want to do a reconstruction model from scratch. When I tried to do reconstruction pole adjustment, it doesn’t let me edit the information like the latitude, longitude, time…

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## [Immediate critical error with blit shader on start-up](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/immediate-critical-error-with-blit-shader-on-start-up/1231)

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**Author:** [@Dreaming\_Johnny](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Dreaming_Johnny)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [23 May 2025 09:01 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/immediate-critical-error-with-blit-shader-on-start-up/1231 "2025-05-23T09:01:56Z")

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Hi, just downloaded GPlates for the first time and upon starting it for the first time it runs, and then immediately closes itself. I’ve attached a screenshot from the GPlates-log.txt file and I’d appreciate any help I …

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## [What to do with oceanic crust?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-to-do-with-oceanic-crust/1217)

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**Author:** [@bolognese](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/bolognese)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [30 April 2025 05:31 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/what-to-do-with-oceanic-crust/1217 "2025-04-30T05:31:28Z")

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Quick question: what happens to the new oceanic plate in this instance? The red line is the mid-ocean ridge, and the blue line is the subduction zone. The plate with green lines in being subducted underneath a contine…

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## [Gplates .rot error message](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/gplates-rot-error-message/882)

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**Author:** [@abbzcreates](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/abbzcreates)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [12 May 2025 06:49 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/gplates-rot-error-message/882 "2025-05-12T06:49:32Z")

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I’ve been following Artifexian’s guide for worldbuilding with the simulator and I’ve tried this about 5 different times but the .rot file is not working. What can I do to fix this?

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## [Jumping issue when attaching blocks together](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/jumping-issue-when-attaching-blocks-together/1208)

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**Author:** [@Bubulle](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Bubulle)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [19 April 2025 16:04 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/jumping-issue-when-attaching-blocks-together/1208 "2025-04-19T16:04:40Z")

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Hello there, Sorry in advance if such a kind of topic/question has been already done but I am facing a big issue when using GPlates. I am currently trying to understand the transition from subduction to collision in SE…

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## [Finding new orientation of reconstructed points](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/finding-new-orientation-of-reconstructed-points/1199)

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**Author:** [@pineapple1123](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/pineapple1123)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [10 April 2025 03:42 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/finding-new-orientation-of-reconstructed-points/1199 "2025-04-10T03:42:42Z")

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I have a bunch of points (paleocurrent indicators) that have an orientation given by 0-360 degrees, with 0/360 as N, 90 as E etc. I have reconstructed them in gplates, but am having difficulty figuring out what their new…

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## [Why velocity azimuths in the reconstruction snapshots do not match those in the Kinematics Tool?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/why-velocity-azimuths-in-the-reconstruction-snapshots-do-not-match-those-in-the-kinematics-tool/1196)

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**Author:** [@sziabrev](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/sziabrev)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [9 April 2025 06:16 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/why-velocity-azimuths-in-the-reconstruction-snapshots-do-not-match-those-in-the-kinematics-tool/1196 "2025-04-09T06:16:56Z")

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Dear Folks Trying to use Gplates, I often see that the velocity azimuths in the reconstruction images are different from the azimuths in the Kinematics Tool. I use GPlates 2.5.0\_win64 and dataset for the Plate Motion Mo…

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## [convergence of oceanic and continental plates – problem with velocity azimuths](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/convergence-of-oceanic-and-continental-plates-problem-with-velocity-azimuths/1188)

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**Author:** [@sziabrev](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/sziabrev)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [9 April 2025 06:14 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/convergence-of-oceanic-and-continental-plates-problem-with-velocity-azimuths/1188 "2025-04-09T06:14:51Z")

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Dear folks, I am trying to obtain velocity azimuths and magnitudes of the Izanagi oceanic plate (ID 926) relative to the (anchored) North China Craton (Plate ID 601) for the period of 220-100 Ma, along their convergent …

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