HR: 0800h
AN: T21C-0520    [Abstracts]
TI: Ellipsis: Geodynamic Modelling For The Masses
AU: * Dyksterhuis, S
EM: scottd@geosci.usyd.edu.au
AF: University of Sydney School of Earth Sciences, Edgeworth David Building F05, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
AU: Mueller, D
EM: dietmar@geosci.usyd.edu.au
AF: University of Sydney School of Earth Sciences, Edgeworth David Building F05, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
AU: Rey, P
EM: prey@geosci.usyd.edu.au
AF: University of Sydney School of Earth Sciences, Edgeworth David Building F05, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
AB: We have created a graphical user interface (GUI) and documentation for two-dimensional simulations of lithospheric deformation and mantle convection, based on the open-source Ellipsis particle-in-cell finite element code. Geodynamic modelling is typically an activity restricted to a small number of well-trained expert geophysicists, not only because the physics of earth deformation processes and its implementation in modelling codes is complex, but also because geodynamic modelling software is generally not well-documented and hard to use, as a myriad of input/output parameters and boundary conditions need to be defined. Using Ellipsis in conjunction with the developed GUI it is now possible to bring geodynamic modelling to the desktop. As a case study of the Ellipsis code and GUI we present work demonstrating the effects different initial weaknesses regimes have on the mode of continental extension. We find the type of initial weakness included plays a primary role in determining the subsequent rift mode. Models using single localised weak seeds produce symmetric narrow rifts, irrespective of whether or not strain-softening is included, while models that include regions of diffuse weaknesses produce a wide rift mode. Models that include an initial weak fault produce more asymmetric rifting leading to a core complex mode of rifting. We hope that the combination of Ellipsis and its GUI will help bring geodynamic modelling to geologists' desktops, including resource explorers.
DE: 8110 Continental tectonics: general (0905)
DE: 8120 Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general (1213)
DE: 8160 Rheology: general (1236, 8032)
DE: 8194 Instruments and techniques
SC: Tectonophysics [T]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005