title: The dynamics of plate tectonics and mantle flow: from local to global scales.
abstract: Plate tectonics is regulated by driving and resisting forces concentrated at plate boundaries, but observationally constrained high-resolution models of global mantle flow remain a computational challenge. We capitalized on advances in adaptive mesh refinement algorithms on parallel computers to simulate global mantle flow by incorporating plate motions, with individual plate margins resolved down to a scale of 1 kilometer. Back-arc extension and slab rollback are emergent consequences of slab descent in the upper mantle. Cold thermal anomalies within the lower mantle couple into oceanic plates through narrow high-viscosity slabs, altering the velocity of oceanic plates. Viscous dissipation within the bending lithosphere at trenches amounts to approximately 5 to 20% of the total dissipation through the entire lithosphere and mantle.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurnis
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burstedde
authors.forename: Lucas C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alisic
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ghattas