Dynamics of tectonic processes on Earth and terrestrial planets
We investigate numerically various plate tectonics processes involving lithospheric plates of both continental and oceanic origin. We develop realistic petrological-thermo-mechanical approaches in 2-D and 3-D coupling visco-elasto-plastic deformation, heat transport and mineralogical phase transformations in order to understand:
- subduction initiation
- slab break-off
- lithospheric delamination
- development and evolution of transform faults
- continental collision and rifting
- rheology of the lithosphere
- evolution of water in the subduction interface
- feedbacks between lithospheric deformation and surface processes
- coupling of seismic processes with the deformation of the crust-lithosphere-asthenosphere
People involved: Paul Tackley, Taras Gerya, Attila Balazs, Diogo Lourenco