Thrust Faults, Subduction Zones and Global Mantle Flow

PI将开发几个数值公式，用于研究粘性流动计算中的类似断层行为，特别是用于理解俯冲带的动力学。他将使用重力和地形剖面、应力分布(在板块和板块中)、挤压和伸展构造环境(例如，弧后盆地或山带的形成)、板块速度和板块倾角等观测数据，比较各种公式，包括目前用于板块计算的公式。这种系统的比较不仅会突出各种方法的优点和缺点，还会引起人们对一种特定方法独有的特征的关注，这些特征可能是该方法的伪像，而不是故障的稳健特征。另一方面，由于每种方法都建立在不同的一组假设之上，方法的比较可能导致对可用于预测特定俯冲带中物理过程的优势或缺失的可观测数据(例如，地形和大地水准面剖面、板岩倾角、构造环境)中的独特特征的理解。

The PI will develop several numerical formulations for the purpose of studying fault-like behavior in viscous flow calculations, specifically applied to understanding the dynamics of subduction zones. he will compare formulations, including the formulations currently used in plate calculations, using observables such a gravity and topography profiles, stress distributions (in the plate and slab), compressional and extensional tectonic environments (e.g., formation of back arc basins or mountain belts), plate velocity and slab dip. This systematic comparison will not only highlight strengths and weaknesses of the various methods, it will call attention to features which are unique to one particular methods and may be an artifact of that method, not a robust characteristic of faulting. On the other hand, since each method is built on different set of assumptions, a comparison of approaches may lead to an understanding of unique signatures in the observables (e.g., topography and geoid profiles, slab dip, tectonic environment) which could be used to predict the dominance or absence of physical processes in specific subduction zones.