Howdy,

A shrinking earth would explain the creation of plates just as well as an earth which is expanding. The only way the earth would expand would be a net positive energy additive. The galaxy is in a state of entropy. The earth is cooling, and the lithospheric crustal process must react. The crust is cooling faster than the mantle. This would explain the break-up of Pangea, and the numerous Euler Poles. I think it is shrinking. This would also explain why Farallon and Kula plates have subducted.

Glen