GRK 2698: Geophysical modelling of vertical motion processes constrained by geodetic and geological observations (UPLIFT)

地球岩石圈的垂直运动(隆起)在不同的空间和时间尺度上发生。通常被认为主要与板块构造机制和均衡调整有关，但与地幔有关的强迫，特别是地幔热柱，显然是世界许多地区隆起事件的重要贡献者。这使得垂直运动成为研究亚层过程的一个强有力的探测器。由于观测方法(如卫星飞行任务)和数据分析技术(如数字地质图)的重大改进，大地测量和地质约束已跨过一个门槛，从而成为地球动力学模型的宝贵信息来源。后者反过来又提供了对复杂景观演变过程的关键洞察。在这里，我们第一次试图应用地球动力学、大地测量学和地质学的跨学科方法来回答当代地球物理学中最紧迫的科学和社会相关问题之一，即外力和内力的相互作用如何形成从景观演变到地震发生的一系列不同的过程。只有对具有不同空间和时间敏感性的跨学科观测结合物理模型进行综合解释，才能使我们能够理清不同的隆起机制。这种跨学科研究的方法导向性质需要一个研究培训小组，其基础是两所申请的大学在贡献领域拥有广泛的专业知识。这一特定的环境集中了在地球物理、大地测量和地质领域拥有卓越国际声誉的科学强国团队，并辅之以顶级的高性能计算能力，这在德国是独一无二的，在世界范围内也是罕见的。定制的资格认证课程嵌入了由两所申请大学运营的慕尼黑地质中心的现有基础设施中。资格认证和学习方案的具体内容将培养博士生在跨学科和国际研究环境中的卓越科学能力，并应培养年轻的研究人员，不仅能够在各自学科进行深入的科学研究，而且具有超越学科工作的能力。由此产生的概况对于应对当今重大的地球科学挑战是非常必要的，并将为未来在科学和工业领域的顶级职业提供极好的机会。

Vertical motion of the Earth’s lithosphere (uplift) occurs on different spatial and temporal scales. Commonly assumed to be primarily related to plate tectonic mechanisms and isostatic adjustment, it has become clear that mantle related forcing and in particular mantle plumes are a significant contributor to uplift events in many regions of the world. This makes vertical motions a powerful probe into sublithospheric processes. Due to significant improvements of observational methods (such as satellite missions) and data analysis techniques (such as digital geological maps), geodetic and geological constraints have crossed a threshold whereby they have become invaluable sources to inform geodynamic models. The latter in turn provide key insight into complex landscape evolution processes. Here, for the first time, we seek to apply an interdisciplinary approach of geodynamics, geodesy and geology to answer one of the most pressing scientifically and societally relevant questions of contemporary geophysics, namely how the interaction of exo- and endogenic forcing shapes a diverse array of processes from landscape evolution to the occurrence of earthquakes. Only a combined interpretation of interdisciplinary observations with different spatial and temporal sensitivity, in conjunction with physical models, will enable us to disentangle the different uplift mechanisms. The method-oriented nature of this interdisciplinary research calls for a Research Training Group, based on the fact that extensive expertise in the contributing fields exists at the two applicant universities. This specific setting at one location of scientifically strong groups with excellent international reputation in the fields of geophysics, geodesy and geology, complemented by top-level high-performance computing capabilities, is a unique situation in Germany and a rare one worldwide. The tailored qualification programme is embedded in the existing infrastructure of the Munich Geocenter operated by the two applicant universities. Specific elements of the qualification and study programme will foster scientific excellence of doctoral candidates in an interdisciplinary and international research environment, and shall produce young researchers capable not only to do in-depth science in their respective disciplines, but having the competence to work beyond disciplines. The resulting profile is highly needed to work on today’s big geoscientific challenges, and will provide excellent chances for future top-level careers in science and industry.