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

大洋中脊系统是地球表面最大的地貌。它也是许多活动断层的所在地，也是地球上大多数火山活动的所在地。通过海底扩张过程产生新的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大洋中脊系统的信息，而理解大洋中脊工作原理的一个日益重要的工具是数值模拟。尽管山脊系统是三维的，但到目前为止，由于计算的限制，这种模型仅限于二维。该项目代表着一项雄心勃勃的合作努力，目的是在全球范围内的大洋中脊环境中建立第一个真正的断层和岩浆活动(火山过程)的3D模型。这个项目有各种更广泛的影响。这项研究的结果和新的三维粘弹塑性构造程序的开发将有助于岩石圈长期变形的总体研究，在地球(例如，GeoPRISMS和地球望远镜计划)以及行星科学中具有广泛的应用。此外，与时间相关的3D可视化将制作特别刺激和直观的插图，用于正在进行的课堂教学和K-12推广活动。大部分预算将支持两名才华横溢、前途光明的研究生。最后，PIS将与地球动力学计算基础设施(CIG)合作，记录、基准和传播我们的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.