The geodynamics research thematic focuses on the dynamics and physics of earth processes on scales from 10-1000 km applying methodologies of computational geophysical fluid and solid mechanics.

Our planet is constantly deforming in response convection processes in the interior of the earth and by the momentum transfers of negatively buoyant cold oceanic plates plunging into the hot mantle causing changes to the forces acting on the Earth's crust. Using modern computer simulation technology, these deformations can be modeled and predicted with ever-increasing precision thereby providing new information crucial to studies of mineralization, earthquake hazard and global change.

At plate margins and ocean trenches, crustal deformation can be related directly to the build-up of stress between trench margins. While the flow instabilities in the deep interior of the earth mentioned above are driven primarily by critical density and temperature gradients, the accumulating stresses manifest themself in deformation instabilities of various kinds such shear localizations, buckling, folding and hydro thermal instabilities the latter influencing the nature and location of zones of mineralization. Consequently, modeling these deformation and flow processes of the Earth's interior and its surface, leads to a better understanding of mineralization, geo-hazards such as earthquakes and provides clues as to where and when the next large earthquake is likely to occur. The stress build up is directly related to the dynamics of subducting slaps which is also directly related to hydro thermal processes leading to economically relevant mineralisations but also are responsible for volcanos.

The geodynamics research thematic currently has 4 major projects:

Volcanology

Solid State Physics

Planetary Evolution

Subduction Processes