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Research Highlight
Examining plate-mantle coupling using global mantle flow models in ASPECT
Plate tectonics is a phenomenon unique to our planet, and complex life would not exist without it. Significant scientific efforts have been made over the past two decades to better understand this phenomenon to give us a first-order understanding of the plates' different driving and resisting forces. Since then, advancements in numerical techniques and the availability of extensive observational data have enabled the development of more sophisticated models, providing deeper insights into plate tectonics and the associated surface expressions. Some key questions include: what is the impact of plate boundary geometry on surface deformation? How do differing slab structures govern plate motions? What are the relative effects of surface topography, upper-mantle structure, and lower-mantle structure on stresses along plate boundaries?
To address these questions, ... [full article]
From HQ
Dear Community,
Fall brings change. Here at headquarters, I am sad to announce that Bruce Buffet has stepped down as Co Director of CIG. I am grateful for Bruce's leadership and counsel as they have been invaluable as we transitioned from CIG III to CIG IV (our current phase). With his help, we are finishing our second year, and are already looking forward not only to 2025 but beyond as we begin discussing future directions at the upcoming community workshop this summer. We wish Bruce well in his retirement and look forward to catching up on his latest research interests and discoveries.
New at headquarters, I am very pleased to welcome Arushi Saxena to staff. Arushi has been a member of the CIG community for nearly 10 years and brings experience in both seismology and geodynamics. She is a contributor to ASPECT and Geodynamic World Builder. Her recent research is this month’s Research Highlight. Arushi is the staff liaison to the Education Working Group and leads development of educational modules for geodynamics. Look for announcements soon on what is available to supplement your teaching.
If you use or would like to use AI in teaching and research, you may be interested in this survey from the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot project. The survey will help to shape the design and development of a transformative platform to connect U.S. researchers and educators to computational, data, and training resources needed to advance AI research and research that employs AI.
And another survey for those following the FAIR4RS movement. FAIR4RS was first published in March 2022. Now, two years later, a core group is seeking feedback to understand if the principles have been useful and usable, or difficult to understand or implement, with the idea that this may lead to a new version of the principles, if needed.
Have a great fall and do not forget to vote in this year’s election!
Lorraine Hwang, Co Director
Governance
Elections
The 2024 Elections are now open — 2 seats are open on the Executive Committee and 4 on the Science Steering Committee. We thank Brad Aagaard and Dave May for their leadership on the EC and SSC respectively; and EC member Marc Spiegelman and SSC members Peter Driscoll, Harriet Lau, and Emmanuel Njinju (early career) for their contributions to the community. Contact your Member Representative for voting. Many thanks to our Nominations Committee Ebru Bozdag, Mark Behn, Margarete Jadamec and Louis Moresi for assembling this year's slate. Elections close Saturday November 30, 2024. [slate]
Research Software Working Group
Do you have a passion for open source software? Join our newest working group. The Research Software Working Group champions the use and development of software in geodynamics. They achieve this through promoting best practices in software, contributing to the exchange of knowledge of current trends in software, and nurturing growing software communities. This group is open to all — learners and experts are welcome to join. Contact us to find out how to join the conversation.
Working Groups
CIG seeks to engage its community and encourage new ideas by seeking members interested in participating as a member of a current working Group or starting a new Focused Working Groups (FWG). New FWG's should address a specific topic and have a clearly defined scope e.g., workshop, white paper, benchmark, etc. A WG should define concrete outcome(s) achievable within a short time frame, < 2 years. Anyone can propose one! We look forward to your ideas in continuing the CIG community's dynamic leadership in the Earth sciences. [apply]Events
CIG Webinars
CIG Monthly Webinars are the second Thursday of the month at 12P/noon PT unless otherwise noted. Join us for our first webinar in our series on Visualization in Geodynamics on January 16, 2025 featuring Fabio Crameri, Undertone.design, Bern, Switzerland and International Space Science Institute (ISSI), Bern, Switzerland. See our full webinar schedule here.
Workshops and Meetings
2025
| January 23 | CIG Business Meeting |
| June 1-7 | PyLith Hackathon |
| tbd | GWB Hackathon |
| tbd | ASPECT Hackathon |
| tbd | Rayleigh Hackathon |
| August 4-7 | CIG Community Workshop |
See our calendar for details on all events and registration.
Remember to join our forum to receive announcements for these and other 2024-2025 events.The Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics is supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF 2149126.