Numerical Geodynamic Modelling.pdf

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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL

GEODYNAMIC MODELLING

Until now, numerical modelling of geodynamic processes has been the domain

of highly trained mathematicians with long experience of numerical and compu-

tational techniques. Now, for the ﬁrst time, students and new researchers in the

Earth Sciences can learn the basic theory and applications from a single, accessible

reference text.

Assuming only minimal prerequisite mathematical training (simple linear alge-

bra and derivatives) the author provides a solid grounding in the basic mathemati-

cal theory and techniques, including continuum mechanics and partial differential

equations, before introducing key numerical and modelling methods. Eight well-

documented and state-of-the-art visco-elasto-plastic, 2D models are then presented,

which allow robust modelling of key dynamic processes such as subduction, litho-

spheric extension, collision, slab break-off, intrusion emplacement, mantle convec-

tion and planetary core formation.

Incorporating 47 practical exercises and 67 MATLAB examples (for which codes

are available online at www.cambridge.org/gerya) this textbook provides a user-

friendly introduction for graduate courses or self-study, and encourages readers to

experiment with geodynamic models ﬁrst hand.

TARAS GERYA was awarded a Ph.D. in 1990 from the Moscow State Univer-

sity and went on to become a Senior Researcher and Head of the Laboratory of

Metamorphism at the Institute of Experimental Mineralogy, Russian Academy of

Sciences, Moscow. He was awarded a Habilitation in petrology before moving to

the Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany in 2000 as an Alexander von Humboldt

Foundation Research Fellow. In 2004 he took up a position as Senior Research

Scientist in the Department of Earth Sciences at ETH-Zurich, Switzerland, while

continuing to be an Adjunct Professor in the Geology Department of Moscow State

University. He was awarded a Habilitation in numerical geodynamic modelling by

ETH-Zurich in 2008 and the Golden Owl Prize 2008 from ETH students for teach-

ing of continuum mechanics and numerical geodynamic modelling. Dr Gerya is the

author of over 50 papers on geodynamic modelling in leading peer-review journals.

INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL

GEODYNAMIC MODELLING

TA R A S V. G E RYA

Department of Earth Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of

Technology (ETH-Zurich)