Geodynamics Training Course

Lesson 1 • Seismological Methods for Interior Imaging

Explains how body waves and surface waves are used to infer velocity structure and layer boundaries. Grounds students in the observational basis of interior models.

Lesson 2 • Physical State of Deep Earth Materials

Examines solid, partial-melt, and liquid states across depth using pressure-temperature phase diagrams. Connects material state to rheological behaviour relevant to mantle flow.

Lesson 3 • Earth's Radial Layering and Boundaries

Introduces crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core as distinct shells defined by seismic discontinuities. Provides the structural framework for all subsequent geodynamic analysis.

Lesson 4 • Composition of Crustal and Mantle Rocks

Covers mineralogy and bulk chemistry of oceanic crust, continental crust, and upper mantle. Links rock composition to density contrasts that drive internal dynamics.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Evolution Models of Earth

Presents parameterised convection models that reconstruct Earth's cooling history over 4.5 billion years. Links past thermal states to changes in tectonic style and mantle viscosity.

Lesson 2 • Primordial and Radiogenic Heat Sources

Distinguishes accretionary heat, core formation energy, and radioactive decay as the three primary heat sources. Quantifies each source's contribution to present-day heat budget.

Lesson 3 • Conduction, Convection, and Radiation in Earth

Compares heat-transfer modes operating at different depths and timescales within Earth. Establishes why convection dominates mantle heat transport over geological time.

Lesson 1 • Brittle Fracture and Frictional Sliding

Covers failure criteria, fault mechanics, and frictional properties governing deformation in the cold upper lithosphere. Connects brittle behaviour to seismogenic zone depth limits.

Lesson 2 • Anisotropy and Fabric Development

Examines how preferred mineral orientation develops during flow and produces seismic anisotropy. Links lattice-preferred orientation patterns to mantle flow directions.

Lesson 3 • Dislocation and Diffusion Creep Mechanisms

Explains atomic-scale mechanisms of plastic flow in minerals at high temperature and pressure. Distinguishes grain-size-sensitive diffusion creep from stress-dependent dislocation creep.

Lesson 4 • Elastic, Viscous, and Viscoelastic Behaviour

Defines the spectrum of material responses from purely elastic to viscous flow and combined viscoelastic behaviour. Provides the conceptual vocabulary for all subsequent deformation analysis.

Lesson 1 • Numerical and Analog Modelling of Convection

Introduces laboratory tank experiments and finite-element numerical codes used to simulate mantle convection. Develops skills for interpreting model outputs and assessing model limitations.

Lesson 2 • Convection Styles: Whole-Mantle vs. Layered

Contrasts whole-mantle and layered convection models using seismic tomography and geochemical evidence. Evaluates which model best explains observed slab penetration and plume behaviour.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Boundary Layers and Plumes

Analyses the top and bottom thermal boundary layers as sources of lithospheric plates and mantle plumes. Connects boundary layer instability to the initiation of subduction and hotspot volcanism.

Lesson 4 • Governing Equations of Mantle Flow

Derives the Stokes, continuity, and energy equations applicable to slow viscous mantle flow. Establishes the mathematical framework used in all convection modelling.

Lesson 1 • Continental Collision and Orogenic Processes

Describes crustal thickening, lithospheric delamination, and plateau formation during continent-continent collision. Links surface topography to deep mantle and lithospheric processes.

Lesson 2 • Plate Driving Forces: Ridge Push and Slab Pull

Quantifies the gravitational forces acting on plates and ranks their relative magnitudes. Demonstrates that slab pull dominates plate motion and connects it to subduction dynamics.

Lesson 3 • Mid-Ocean Ridges and Seafloor Spreading

Examines the thermal structure, magmatic processes, and subsidence of mid-ocean ridges. Links spreading rate to crustal thickness, ridge morphology, and heat flow patterns.

Lesson 4 • Subduction Zones: Geometry and Dynamics

Analyses slab geometry, thermal structure, and fluid release in subduction zones. Connects slab dynamics to arc volcanism, back-arc extension, and deep seismicity.

Lesson 1 • Core-Mantle Boundary Interactions

Examines ultra-low velocity zones, D'' layer heterogeneity, and heat flux variations at the core-mantle boundary. Links boundary conditions to both mantle plume initiation and geodynamo behaviour.

Lesson 2 • Geodynamo Theory and Magnetic Field Generation

Presents magnetohydrodynamic principles and dynamo theory explaining self-sustaining magnetic field generation. Connects flow geometry in the outer core to observed dipole and non-dipole field features.

Lesson 3 • Geomagnetic Reversals and Secular Variation

Analyses the palaeomagnetic record of polarity reversals and long-term field changes. Evaluates hypotheses linking reversal frequency to mantle thermal structure and core-mantle boundary conditions.

Lesson 4 • Core Convection and Energy Sources

Identifies thermal and compositional buoyancy as drivers of outer core convection. Quantifies the energy budget sustaining the geodynamo over geological time.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Isostatic Equilibrium

Introduces Airy and Pratt isostasy models and the concept of isostatic compensation depth. Explains why mountain roots and oceanic plateaus reflect density-driven vertical balance.

Lesson 2 • Elastic Thickness and Lithospheric Flexure

Derives the thin elastic plate equation and applies it to loading scenarios such as seamounts and ice sheets. Connects effective elastic thickness to lithospheric age and thermal structure.

Lesson 3 • Postglacial Rebound and Mantle Viscosity

Models the time-dependent uplift following ice sheet removal as a probe of mantle viscosity. Demonstrates how rebound rates constrain the viscosity profile of the upper and lower mantle.

Lesson 4 • Dynamic Topography from Mantle Flow

Distinguishes isostatically supported topography from dynamic topography driven by mantle upwelling and downwelling. Evaluates evidence for dynamic topography on continents and ocean floors.

Lesson 1 • Geodynamics in Resource and Energy Exploration

Demonstrates how geodynamic models guide exploration for geothermal energy, hydrocarbons, and critical minerals. Connects basin formation, heat flow, and fluid migration to resource distribution.

Lesson 2 • Plate Tectonic Reconstructions and Palaeogeography

Uses palaeomagnetic data, seafloor age grids, and hotspot tracks to reconstruct past plate configurations. Connects palaeogeographic reconstructions to climate, ocean circulation, and biodiversity patterns.

Lesson 3 • Frontiers in Geodynamic Research

Surveys open questions including the onset of plate tectonics, mantle heterogeneity origins, and core evolution. Prepares students to engage with current literature and identify research gaps.

Lesson 4 • Geodynamics of Volcanic and Seismic Hazards

Applies mantle flow and stress models to assess volcanic unrest and seismic hazard in tectonically active regions. Links geodynamic processes to probabilistic hazard frameworks used by practitioners.