Overview: GFZ

A video of a modeling is shown. — Numerical model of rifting and continental break-up. Models like these provide an avenue to understand the formation of georesources and geohazards at plate boundaries. (Sascha Brune and Derek Neuharth. Based on Neuharth, D., Brune, S., Wrona, T., Glerum, A., Braun, J., & Yuan, X. (2022). Evolution of Rift Systems and Their Fault Networks in Response to Surface Processes. Tectonics, 41(3), e2021TC007166. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC007166)

This model stimulates the internal dynamics of the Earth's mantle. — This model simulates the internal dynamics of the Earth's mantle and its relationship to surface deformation and topographic evolution. Blue areas represent cold mantle material descending from subduction zones and red areas represent warm mantle rocks ascending in the form of mantle plumes. (Pons, M., V. Sobolev, S., Jain, C., and Kendall, E.: From plumes to subduction network formation and supercontinent break-up, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-10967, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-10967, 2024.)

This picture shows two scientists taking bathymetry measurements — Degassing of CO2 from the deep earth is an important component of the long-term carbon cycle. We measure natural CO2 degassing rates along fault systems and at volcanoes (such as here at the Laacher See in the Eifel) and use them to calibrate our model calculations. *(Kyriaki Daskalopoulou, University of Potsdam)*

This model shows the formation of the southern central Andes. — This model helps us to better understand the formation of the southern central Andes. In this area, unusually shallow subduction interacts with the South American continental plate to create a wide zone of tectonic deformation (Pons, M., Rodriguez Piceda, C., Sobolev, S. V., Scheck‐Wenderoth, M., & Strecker, M. R. (2023). Localization of deformation in a non‐collisional subduction orogen: The roles of dip geometry and plate strength on the evolution of the broken Andean foreland, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina. Tectonics, 42(8), e2023TC007765.)

This picure shows the modeling of a tsunami. — The 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean was triggered by a seaquake. We are investigating how tsunamis spread and how efficient warnings can be provided. *(R.Hüttle (Ed.), Spektrum Akademischer Verlag Heidelberg, 316 pp., ISBN 978-3-8274-2470-9, Seite 131)*

This model shows the deep deformation undergone by the Chilean subduction. — The formation of the Andes mountain range is closely linked to the dynamics of the oceanic plate subducted beneath South America into the Earth's mantle. This model aims to reproduce the deep deformation undergone by the Chilean subduction at the mantle transition zone at a depth of about 660 km, which led to the formation of the Central Andes during the last 40 Ma. (Pons, M., Sobolev, S. V., Liu, S., & Neuharth, D. (2022). Hindered trench migration due to slab steepening controls the formation of the Central Andes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 127(12), e2022JB025229.)

This modeling shows the continental break-up — Rifting and continental breakup: Numerical model to capture the interaction between tectonics, erosion and sedimentation. We study the interaction of geodynamic and surface processes to gain a better understanding of the Earth system. *(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2021TC007166)*

Our aim is to improve the understanding of geodynamic processes operating inside the solid Earth and their surface manifestation at a broad range of spatial and temporal scales through advanced numerical modeling. Our research focii are located at both plate boundaries and within the plate interiors, inside the deep mantle and at the surface. We constrain our models by multidisciplinary surface observations acquired by the GFZ and the international scientific community and look for practical applications of fundamental research, like tsunami early warning and hazard assessment. To approach our aims, we develop our own numerical methods and tools, but also extensively employ and co-develop numerical techniques provided by the international community.