NSCPHD1024 Anisotropy and mantle deformation

The  course will provide participants with an overview of the frontiers of the subject "Anisotropy and mantle deformation" which has received considerable interest during recent years. Integration of laboratory measurements of creep processes with determination of anisotropic parameters of rock samples has improved the general understanding of the mechanisms involved and has provided background for understanding a series of new seismological and rheological measurements of mantle (and partly crustal) properties.

The Earth is the most dynamic planet in our solar system. Humanity and society depend on its dynamics, which has brought the raw materials and minerals that we all depend on to surface, but the dynamics is also responsible for earthquake and volcanic hazards on Earth. To further our understanding of these important subjects we need to understand the mechanisms that allow movement of the tectonic plates at the surface and convection of the underlying mantle. The technological development has recently offered new possibilities to Earth sciences in subjects like seismological and gravity measurements, and not least the ability to actually measure the deformation of the Earth surface by satellite technologies (GPS, InSAR). Interpretation of the new high precision measurements requires understanding of the mechanisms behind the deformation at various time scales. These aspects are at the core of the proposed course.

The proposed course will include the following topics:

1. Basic observations of Earth dynamics with focus on material properties

2. Anisotropy, measurements at macro- and micro-scale.

3. Deformation mechanisms and observation of deformation.

4. The relation between deformation and anisotropy

5. New avenues and grand challenges to geosciences and mantle dynamics. Unsolved key questions in geochemistry and geophysics in relation to the subject. How can integration of methods bring Earth sciences forward, in particular in relation to large scale tectonics, plate geodynamics, and earthquake hazards? Friday afternoon is devoted to a Grand Oxfordian Debate or Disputatio between two teams of students.