Theoretical Models of Earth History

9506722史蒂文森研究所将开发不同于以往工作的地球热演化模型，这些模型在一定程度上形成了各种对流过程(板块、羽流和“小规模”对流)相互作用的完全自洽的图景，它们在多大程度上纳入了经常被省略的重要物理过程，以及模型试图与之联系的可观测对象的数量和多样性。这种方法是折衷的，涉及需要理论发展、分析标度论证和数值对流实验的特定物理学部分。PIs将具体包括小规模对流的影响、相变动力学的作用以及水在板块构造、地壳生产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. ***