Theoretical Models of Earth History

PIs将开发地球热演化模型，其不同于以往的努力，在于它们在多大程度上开发了各种对流过程（板块、羽流和“小尺度”对流）相互作用的完全自一致的图像，它们在多大程度上纳入了经常被忽略的重要物理过程，以及模型试图建立联系的可观测数据的数量和多样性。这种方法是折衷的，涉及需要理论发展的特定物理领域，分析缩放论证和数值对流实验。pi将特别包括小尺度对流的影响，相变动力学的作用，以及水在板块构造，地壳产生和地幔冷却中的作用。＊＊＊

9506722 Stevenson The PIs will develop models for Earth's thermal evolution that differ from previous efforts in the extent to which they develop a fully self-consistent picture of the interplay of various convective processes (plates, plumes and "small scale" convection), the extent to which they incorporate important physical processes that are frequently omitted, and the number and diversity of observables to which the models seek to make a connection. The approach is eclectic, involving specific pieces of physics that require theoretical development, analytical scaling arguments and numerical convection experiments. The PIs will specifically include effects of small scale convection, the role of kinetics of phase transitions, and the role of water in plate tectonics, crustal production and mantle cooling. ***