Modelling lithosphere dynamics with robust rheological implementations: Towards 3D

Thibault Duretz (1) , René de Borst (2) , Ludovic Räss (3)

1 GR - Géosciences Rennes
2 University of Sheffield [Sheffield]
3 Institute of Earth Sciences, Géopolis, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Reliable numerical models of lithospheric deformation require robust solution methods. The latter should account for a complex and realistic rheological model and should also provide convergent and reproducible results. Here we present models of crustal-scale deformation that accurately capture the phenomenon of strain localisation in two-dimensions. The use of viscous regularisation yields convergent numerical results. We will compare linearisation methods (consistent tangent, effective viscosity) and discuss the implementation of rheological models (power-law viscous, hardening/softening laws). We will also present three-dimensional models of crustal-scale strain localisation that benefit from both the above-described methods and the computing power of graphical processing units (GPUs).

Domains: Tectonics

Thibault Duretz, René de Borst, Ludovic Räss. Modelling lithosphere dynamics with robust rheological implementations: Towards 3D. European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Apr 2020, online, Austria. pp.EGU2020-13742. ⟨insu-02539494⟩