NUMERICAL MODELS OF PLATE TECTONICS, MANTLE CONVECTION AND SLAB DYNAMICS WITH EVOLVING FAULTS. We plan to develop a method for simulating large-scale
geological structures with a much improved treatment
of tectonic faults in 3D.
Current computer models have sharp geological faults at plate
boundaries represented by broad, blurred zones. New techniques
for modeling cracks in engineering structures will be scaled up to
the whole Earth.
This will help us to understand how the Earth's p ....NUMERICAL MODELS OF PLATE TECTONICS, MANTLE CONVECTION AND SLAB DYNAMICS WITH EVOLVING FAULTS. We plan to develop a method for simulating large-scale
geological structures with a much improved treatment
of tectonic faults in 3D.
Current computer models have sharp geological faults at plate
boundaries represented by broad, blurred zones. New techniques
for modeling cracks in engineering structures will be scaled up to
the whole Earth.
This will help us to understand how the Earth's plates move and
interact now and in the past and how the structure of the continents
arose.
Not only is this intrinsically interesting, it
will also be of immediate practical benefit to geological modelers.Read moreRead less
Plate kinematics to plate dynamics: understanding plate boundary processes at the global scale. This proposal aims to create geodynamic models which can be used a basis for a new, smart resource exploration and extraction industry which uses simulation to help characterize regions where traditional geophysical imaging alone is not able to penetrate. It provides essential scientific underpinnings for
The Australian Computational Earth System Simulator Major National Research Facility (ACcESS).
Thick-skin continental deformation and the rheology of faulted continental lithosphere. We plan to study the way in which major, long-lived faults influence the large-scale deformation of continental lithosphere in response to plate and mantle derived stresses. We will develop realistic computer models of networks of faults embedded in the crust to examine the way large faults (e.g. the San Andreas fault in California) interact with the deep crust and shallow mantle and the way they interact w ....Thick-skin continental deformation and the rheology of faulted continental lithosphere. We plan to study the way in which major, long-lived faults influence the large-scale deformation of continental lithosphere in response to plate and mantle derived stresses. We will develop realistic computer models of networks of faults embedded in the crust to examine the way large faults (e.g. the San Andreas fault in California) interact with the deep crust and shallow mantle and the way they interact with each other. No one previous model has been able to incorporate all the important dynamics. The work will be used by structural geologists, planetary scientists and be a valuable tool in mineral exploration.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional evolution of the Banda Arc: effects of the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the active Banda volcanic arc. National benefits are associated with the advance of basic science by addressing fundamental tectonic problems on the geodynamics of convergent plate boundaries. In particular, the specific study area would provide a better understanding on the tectonic environment of Australia in the context of the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, outcomes of this research ....Three-dimensional evolution of the Banda Arc: effects of the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the active Banda volcanic arc. National benefits are associated with the advance of basic science by addressing fundamental tectonic problems on the geodynamics of convergent plate boundaries. In particular, the specific study area would provide a better understanding on the tectonic environment of Australia in the context of the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, outcomes of this research could potentially be used to reconstruct the tectonic history of Australia using the Banda region as a modern analogue.Read moreRead less
Planetary Pulsations: Exploring Links between Superplumes, Supercontinents, and Superchrons with 3-D Spherical Mantle Convection Models. This project advances the tools and knowledge base regarding historic motions of tectonic plates (including the Australian continent). This furthers understanding of the current and past state of stress in the Earth's surface, ultimately improving ways of characterizing earthquake hazard and mineral exploration. This project also benefits researchers interpre ....Planetary Pulsations: Exploring Links between Superplumes, Supercontinents, and Superchrons with 3-D Spherical Mantle Convection Models. This project advances the tools and knowledge base regarding historic motions of tectonic plates (including the Australian continent). This furthers understanding of the current and past state of stress in the Earth's surface, ultimately improving ways of characterizing earthquake hazard and mineral exploration. This project also benefits researchers interpreting the climate record as two processes which effected the ancient climate are investigated: major outbursts of greenhouse gases during periods of major volcanism and the reorientation of the planet with respect to its spin axis. The results are obtained with these computer simulations highlight Australia's emerging strength in supercomputing on the international scene.
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