pyGPlates

pyGPlates is an open-source Python library for reconstructing plate tectonic reconstructions. It provides a programmatic interface to the functionality of GPlates, a powerful software package for visualizing and analyzing plate tectonic history. Users can leverage pyGPlates to perform complex plate reconstructions, extract geological data, and integrate tectonic information into their own workflows. The library allows for the manipulation of plate boundaries, the rotation of tectonic plates through geological time, and the derivation of paleogeographic reconstructions. It is particularly useful for researchers in geophysics, geology, and paleontology who need to study the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates over millions of years. pyGPlates supports various input data formats, including NetCDF and shapefiles, and can output reconstructed geometries in common formats. Its integration with the broader Python scientific ecosystem facilitates advanced data analysis and visualization of tectonic phenomena. The project emphasizes accessibility and reproducibility in plate tectonic research.