| title: | Numerical and analogue modelling of Earth's endogenic processes |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5301 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
1.10. Geology |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Alvar Soesoo |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | A large proportion of the Earth's crust is composed of igneous and volcanic rocks. Because of the abundance of these rocks and their central role in major large-scale geological processes (oceanic spreading, subduction and mountain building) it is important to understand their formation. Much is known about various aspects of their formation, but there is a lack of knowledge on how these aspects are connected across different length scales, from initial melt formation on the microscopic scale to ascent in metre to kilometre scale magmatic bodies and final emplacement in sometimes 100 km-scale batholiths. Furthermore, many studies have focussed on either physical-mechanical aspects or geochemical-petrological aspects. A fusion of the results from these different viewpoints is critical to the understanding of the whole process. This project aims to investigate the formation of igneous rocks, from the initial formation of melts to the ascent and emplacement of magmas and from a combined physical and geochemical perspective. Central to the proposal is the integration of different methods: geochemical and numerical modelling, analogue modelling and field observations. Experiments with rock analogues will focus on the microscopic distribution and segregation of melt during progressive melting, while other experiments will investigate the larger scale processes of transport and accumulation and the non-linear dynamics and system characteristics of transport and accumulation. Both lines of research are linked by numerical modelling, where chemical and mechanical modelling techniques will be combined to systematically investigate the physics and chemistry of magma segregation, accumulation and transport. This research will be carried out in the proposed Earth Processes Modelling Laboratory, to be established at the Institute of Geology, Tartu University, Estonia. The proposed funding will ensure a successful research program for the first four years, which will include the training of MSc and PhD students. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Volli Kalm | University of Tartu | professor | |
| 2. | Alvar Soesoo | Tartu University, Institute of Geology | researcher | |