Computational methods for geodynamics

To study the long time evolution of geomaterials via numerical models, we require techniques that allow large material deformation to be described, and which allow complex material rheologies (e.g. visco-elastic-plastic) to be employed. Unlike most engineering problems, we also require that the numerical method allows us to study the deformation of the material well past the onset of failure. Computational geodynamics is an emergent and expanding field with the Earth sciences. Within our group, we combine research from continuum mechanics, mathematics, high performance computing and computer graphics to continually develop and improve the state of the art in numerical techniques suitable for modelling geodynamic processes.