UWGeodynamics: A teaching and research tool for numerical geodynamic modelling
Résumé
The UWGeodynamics module facilitates development of 2D and 3D thermo-mechanical
geodynamic models (Subduction, Rift, Passive Margins, Orogenic systems etc.). It is
designed to be used for research and teaching, and combined the flexibility of the Under-
world Application Programming Interface, (Moresi, Dufour, & Mühlhaus, 2002, Moresi,
Dufour, & Mühlhaus (2003), Moresi et al. (2007)) with a structured workflow.
Designing geodynamic numerical models can be a daunting task which often requires
good understanding of the numerical code. UWGeodynamics provides a simple interface
with examples to get you started with development of numerical models. Users can start
designing their models without any pre-existing knowledge of programming. Expert users
can easily modify the framework and adapt it to more specific needs. The code can be run
in parallel on multiple CPUs on personal computers and/or High Performance Computing
systems.
Although UWGeodynamics has been primarily designed to address geodynamic problems,
it can also be used to teach fluid dynamics and material mechanics.
UWGeodynamics uses the flexibility of the Python language and the Jupyter Notebook
environment, which allows leveraging the wide range of scientific libraries available from
the Python community. It also facilitates the coupling with existing scientific Python
modules such as Badlands (Salles, Ding, & Brocard, 2018).
The functionalities include:
•
Dimensional input values, using user’s choice of physical units.
•
Automated and transparent scaling of dimensional values.
•
Sets of predefined geometries that can be combined to define the initial geometry
of a model.
•
Handles Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheologies (Viscous, Visco-plastic and
Visco-elasto-plastic).
•
Database of common rheologies used in geodynamics, which can be personalised /
extended by users.
•
Simple definition of kinematic, stress, and thermal boundary conditions.
•
Lithostatic pressure calculation
•
Thermal equilibrium (steady-state) calculation.
•
Pseudo Isostasy using a range of kinematic or stress boundary conditions.
•
Partial melt calculation and associated change in viscosity / heat production.
•
Simple definition of passive tracers and grid of tracers.
•
Simple Phase changes
•
2-way coupling with the surface processes model pyBadlands (Salles et al., 2018).
UWGeo comes with a series of examples, benchmarks and tutorial setups that can be used
as cookbook recipes. They provide a wide range of teaching materials useful to introduce
numerical geodynamic modeling to students.
New functionalities are constantly being added to the code and contributions are more
than welcomed. You can access the full documentation online at
https://uwgeodynamics.
readthedocs.io
Domaines
Sciences de la Terre
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