固物研究生论坛 - Simulation of Deformation of Crust and Mantle

We employ 3D visco-elastoplastic finite element geodynamics model, CitcomToEllipsis, to simulate the deformation of crust and mantle in SE Tibet, constrained by surface GPS data as boundary condition. Our model consists of air layer, crust and mantle lithosphere of heterogeneous thickness and ambient upper mantle deep to 660 km, faults are also added in, represented by lower yield stress components.

Our model illustrates horizontal velocity field is roughly composed of clockwise vortex flow and southeastern motion. With regard to finer velocity analysis, the distribution of maximum shear strain rate and rotational strain rate gradient are largely controlled by active faults. Furthermore, modeled topography, which includes dynamics contributions from elastic buckling and thermal convection, can simulates the first order approximation of observed topography.