How do I simulate a tectonic plate?

Open this page and use the live Daisyworld tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a tectonic plate from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Daisyworld

Daisyworld for a tectonic plate

Simulate a tectonic plate live in your browser. This runs the real Daisyworld solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

DaisyworldLive

planetary self-regulation (Gaia)

Controls

Speed1×

Watson and Lovelock's Daisyworld shows how life can regulate a planet. Black daisies warm a cold world by absorbing sunlight; white daisies cool a hot one by reflecting it. As the sun brightens, the daisy mix shifts to hold the temperature nearly constant — biological homeostasis with no foresight.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Luminosity0.70

Temperature0.0 °C

White / black20% / 20%

Governing equation

\frac{d A _{w}}{d t} = A_{w} (x β (T) - γ), β (T) = 1 - 0.003265 (295.5 - T)^{2}, L = 0.70

Reading this result: Under a dim sun (L=0.70), dark black daisies (20%) take over and absorb sunlight, warming the planet toward the temperature life prefers.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Daisyworld tool models a tectonic plate with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Daisyworld

Daisyworld for an earthquake Daisyworld for a volcano Daisyworld for a glacier melt Daisyworld for a tsunami Daisyworld for a river flood Daisyworld for an ocean current Daisyworld for a sea-level rise Daisyworld for a carbon cycle

Other ways to simulate a tectonic plate

Energy Balance for a tectonic plate Milankovitch Cycles for a tectonic plate Tsunami Propagation for a tectonic plate Carbon Cycle for a tectonic plate Earthquake Shaking for a tectonic plate Groundwater Drawdown for a tectonic plate

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a tectonic plate?: Open this page and use the live Daisyworld tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a tectonic plate from your own measurements.