Collaborative Research: 3D Geodynamic Models of Tectono-Magmatic Extension at Mid-Ocean Ridges: Variations in Magmatism, Faulting, and Morphology at the Segment Scale

洋中脊系统是地球表面最大的特征。它也是许多活跃断层的所在地，也是地球上大多数火山活动的所在地。海底扩张过程中产生的新海底是塑造地球表面的一个基本过程。半个世纪的研究已经揭示了许多关于洋中脊系统的信息，而数值模拟是理解洋中脊运作的一个越来越重要的工具。虽然脊系统是三维的，但由于计算的限制，这些模型到目前为止都局限于二维。该项目代表了一项雄心勃勃的合作努力，即在全球范围内建立断层和岩浆作用（火山过程）的第一个真正的3D模型。这个项目有各种更广泛的影响。这项研究的结果和一种新的三维粘弹塑性构造代码的发展将有利于岩石圈长期变形的研究，在地球（例如地球地质系统和地球镜程序）以及行星科学中具有广泛的应用。此外，3D时间依赖性可视化将使非常刺激和直观的插图用于正在进行的课堂教学和K-12外展活动。大部分预算将用于资助两位才华横溢、前途无量的研究生。最后，pi将与地球动力学计算基础设施（CIG）合作，记录、基准测试和传播我们的2D和3D代码，从而为科学基础设施做出贡献。

The mid-ocean ridge system is the largest feature on the surface of the Earth. It is also the site of much active faulting, and of most of the Earth's volcanic activity. The production of new seafloor by the process of seafloor spreading is a fundamental process that shapes the planet's surface. A half-century's research has revealed much about the mid-ocean ridge system, and an increasingly important tool for understanding the workings of mid-ocean ridges is numerical modeling. Though the ridge system is three dimensional, such models have, up to now, been limited to two dimensions owing to computing limitations. This project represents an ambitious collaborative effort to build the first genuinely 3D models of faulting and magmatism (volcanic processes) over a global range of mid-ocean ridge settings. This project has a variety of broader impacts. The results of this study and the development of a new 3D visco-elasticplastic tectonics code will benefit studies of long-term lithospheric deformation generally, with broad applications in Earth (e.g., GeoPRISMS and Earthscope programs) as well as planetary science. In addition, 3D time-dependent visualizations will make exceptionally stimulating and intuitive illustrations for use in ongoing classroom instructional and K-12 outreach activities. Most of the budget will support two talented and promising graduate students. Finally, the PIs will work with the Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics (CIG) to document, benchmark, and disseminate both our 2D and 3D codes, thereby contributing the the scientific infrastructure.