geodynamics

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]

X and mantle plumes: the deep quest

Martina Monaco and edited by Arushi Saxena October 5, 2022

Seismic discontinuities necessitates mechanisms that would generate them and therefore, help us better understand the internal structure of the Earth. This week, Martina Monaco talks about the mysterious X-discontinuity — observed under several hotspots at upper mantle depths of ~ 290 km —and how it relates to the rising plumes. According to the Oxford Dictionary, only 400 words in the English la ...[Read More]

LLSVPs: Mysteries in the Deep Mantle

Rajani Shrestha September 7, 2022

Did you know that there are big, blob-like anomalies in the deep mantle which are larger than a continent and rise up to hundreds of kilometers from the core-mantle boundary? Today’s post is all about those blobs and what we know and do not know about them. If you want to know more about why these blobs are so interesting to study, check out this other cool blog post by Jamie Ward. If you look at ...[Read More]

Application of lubrication theory in understanding subduction interface dynamics

Giridas Maiti August 3, 2022

Figure 1. Analogy of a) subduction interface with b) engineering lubrication device (source: machinerylubrication.com).

Plate interface lubrication is essential for stabilization and continuation of subduction process for million of years. The magnitude of plate interface lubrication determines transfer of stress between two converging plates, topography of mountain belts, transportation of volatiles to the mantle, and return flow of high to ultra-high pressure rocks to the earth’s surface. In this week’s blog, I ...[Read More]