Numerical simulation of different tectonic regimes on rocky planets

• Grant number: 24/03399-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Victor Sacek
• Grantee: Pedro Evangelista Pinheiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this project is to numerically simulate the thermo-mechanical evolution of the interior of rocky planets to reproduce different tectonic regimes. Specifically, it aims to simulate scenarios that reproduce the behavior of plate tectonics, present on planet Earth, as well as the "stagnant lid" regime, present on Mars and Mercury, for example. For this purpose, the thermo-mechanical numerical model Mandyoc developed in the Computational Geodynamics Group of the Department of Geophysics at IAG/USP will be used. The numerical scenarios will take into account rheological properties and thermal structures compatible with those observed in the mantle and crust of rocky planets, with the objective of simulating tectonic regimes compatible with plate tectonics, or scenarios such as "stagnant lid". Initially, classical two-dimensional numerical models will be reproduced, verifying under what physical conditions each tectonic regime occurs. Then, rheological and thermal parameters will be tested to verify the possibility of transitioning from one regime to another in the same numerical simulation.