The dynamics of plate tectonics and mantle flow: from local to global scales.
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.
Stadler
Georg
G
Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Gurnis
Michael
M
Burstedde
Carsten
C
Wilcox
Lucas C
LC
Alisic
Laura
L
Ghattas
Omar
O