Geodynamics 101

Subduction interfaces are complicated – and that’s their beauty!

P. Io Ioannidi and edited by Nuno Rodrigues March 18, 2026

Summary schematic view of the subduction plate interface as inferred from the exhumed geologic record. From Behr and Bürgmann, 2021.

The dynamics of subduction zones are strongly influenced by the subduction interface. Understanding its rheology enables geodynamic modellers to better simulate these systems and unravel the fundamental processes that govern them. In today’s blog post, we explore subduction interface rheology and discuss effective approaches for modelling it. What is a subduction interface? I first met a subductio ...[Read More]

Under pressure: measuring stress within the crust

Constanza Rodriguez Piceda March 11, 2026

At the geodynamic scale, tectonic forces guide the distribution of stress. Stress in the Earth is not constant, but varies through space. Variations in gravitational energy caused by changes in mass distribution within the Earth, forces acting at plate boundaries, and basal mantle drag all cause stress to vary and act in different directions. Overall, stress plays a key role in tectonics. It allow ...[Read More]

Understanding geodynamic modelling results through maps of neural networks

João Paulo de Souza Bueno and edited by Constanza Rodriguez Piceda January 21, 2026

The huge amount of data produced in Geosciences is increasing exponentially, and numerical modelling has become a key tool for understanding tectonic evolution over time, which also increases the volume of data produced. Here, I, João Bueno (PhD student at University of São Paulo, Brazil) will present how a machine learning technique known as Self-Organising Maps can be used to understand the int ...[Read More]

Mathematical closed-form solutions in Geodynamics: insightful or detrimental?

Dimitrios Papadomarkakis and edited by Constanza Rodriguez Piceda January 14, 2026

(credit: modified from Unsplash)

Mathematics is certainly not every scientist’s cup of tea. Despite the latter, they are, for the most part, very important, since most problems, regardless of their complexity, start and end with a mathematical equation (or set of equations). In this week’s blog, Dimitrios Papadomarkakis (student at the National Technical University of Athens), discusses the subject of closed-form (analytical) sol ...[Read More]