analogue modelling

Effects of decelerating India-Eurasia convergence on the crustal flow and topographic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau

Arnab Roy and edited by Giridas Maiti October 12, 2022

The Tibetan Plateau is the most extensive elevated surface on the Earth, stretching ~1,000 km north to south and 3,200 km east to west, with a mean elevation of greater than 4.5 km and located north of the Indian subcontinent. The formation of this Plateau has profoundly influenced the variations and evolution of Asian climate, strengthening of the South-Asian Monsoon, development of the large Asi ...[Read More]

Thinking inside the (sand)box

Alex Hughes and edited by Lucía Pérez-Díaz December 16, 2020

Zoomed view of part of the crestal collapse graben formed over a listric fault in a sandbox model

Ahhh analogue models… Those beautiful little (or not so little) worlds inside a box, captivatingly beautiful, impossibly detailed… (sorry, getting carried away, am I?). This week, Alex Hughes gives us the insider’s report on what actually goes on in analogue modelling labs when the “Experiment running, do not disturb!!” sign is on the door. Analogue models have been a ...[Read More]

The Sassy Scientist – Analogue Modelling

The Sassy Scientist May 31, 2019

Every week, The Sassy Scientist answers a question on geodynamics, related topics, academic life, the universe or anything in between with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Do you have a question for The Sassy Scientist? Submit your question here. David asks: What do you think about analogue modelling? Dear David, Analogue modelling. Well, what’s not to like? Who doesn’t want to spend weeks or months fin ...[Read More]

Thoughts on geological modelling: an analogue perspective

Editorial Team 3 November 15, 2018

Final stage of a sandbox analogue model of an accretionary wedge. University of Lisbon, 2009. Experiments published in Duarte et al. (2011).

In geodynamics we study the dynamics of the Earth (and other planets). We ground our studies in as much data as possible, however we are constrained by the fact that pretty much all direct information we can collect from the interior of the Earth only shows its present-day state. The surface rock record gives us a glimpse into the past dynamics and evolution of our planet, but this record gets spa ...[Read More]