Coupled petrological-geodynamical modeling of a compositionally heterogeneous mantle plume

Abstract Self-consistent geodynamic modeling that includes melting is challenging as the chemistry of the source rocks continuously changes as a result of melt extraction. Here, we describe a new method to study the interaction between physical and chemical processes in an uprising heterogeneous mantle plume by combining a geodynamic code with a thermodynamic modeling approach for magma generation and evolution. We pre-computed hundreds of phase diagrams, each of them for a different chemical system. After melt is extracted, the phase diagram with the closest bulk rock chemistry to the depleted source rock is updated locally. The petrological evolution of rocks is tracked via evolving chemi…

Mountain Building in Taiwan: Insights From 3‐D Geodynamic Models

Taiwan is widely considered to be a typical example of an arc-continent collision surrounded by two opposite dipping subduction zones. The manner by which the interaction of the two neighboring slabs caused plate collision and mountain building is insufficiently understood. Various hypotheses have been proposed, but the geodynamic feasibility of those remains to be tested. Here we present 3-D thermomechanical models to study the geodynamic evolution process of a Taiwan-like setting after an initial transform fault was consumed. In our model setup, the boundary between the Eurasian plate and the South China Sea is northeast trending. The results show that all simulations result in toroidal m…

Lower Crustal Rheology Controls the Development of Large Offset Strike‐Slip Faults During the Himalayan‐Tibetan Orogeny

International audience

3D Geodynamic Models for HP‐UHP Rock Exhumation in Opposite‐Dip Double Subduction‐Collision Systems

Subduction Polarity Reversal Triggered by Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Implications for Induced Subduction Initiation

Slab-triggered wet upwellings produce large volumes of melt: Insights into the destruction of the North China Craton

Abstract Cratons have remained stable for billions of years, despite of ongoing mantle convection and plate tectonics. The North China Craton (NCC), however, is abnormal, as it has experienced a destruction event during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic which was accompanied by extensive magmatism. Several lines of evidence suggest that the (Paleo-)Pacific plate played an important role in this event. Yet, the geodynamic link between subduction and craton destruction remains poorly understood, and it is unclear why there is no systematic spatial and temporal variation of magmatism related to subduction. Here, we perform 2-D petrological-thermomechanical simulations to investigate the influence of s…