| Authors | L. Vynnytska, S. Clark and M. E. Rognes |
| Editors | A. Logg, K. Mardal and G. N. Wells |
| Title | Dynamic Simulations of Convection in the Earth's Mantle |
| Afilliation | Scientific Computing, , Scientific Computing |
| Project(s) | Center for Biomedical Computing (SFF) |
| Status | Published |
| Publication Type | Book Chapter |
| Year of Publication | 2012 |
| Book Title | Automated Solution of Differential Equations by the Finite Element Method |
| Secondary Title | Lecture Notes in Computational Science and Engineering |
| Volume | 84 |
| Chapter | 31 |
| Pagination | 587-602 |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Place Published | Berlin Heidelberg |
| ISBN Number | 978-3-642-23098-1 |
| Abstract | In this chapter, we model dynamic convection processes in the Earth's mantle: linking the geodynamical equations, numerical implementation and Python code tightly together. The convection is generated by heating from below with a compositionally distinct and denser layer at the bottom. The time-dependent nonlinear partial differential equations to be solved are the quasi-static Stokes equations with depth- and temperature-dependent viscosity and advection-diffusion equations for the composition and temperature. We present a numerical algorithm for the simulation of these equations as well as an implementation of this algorithm using the DOLFIN Python interface. The results show the compositional heterogeneities persist, but interact strongly with the convecting system, generating upwellings and moving as material from the surface displaces them. This chapter will be of interest to those seeking to model fluid discontinuities using field methods as well as those interested in mantle convection simulations. |