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Constructing a 3D finite element model of viscoelastic deformation for a compressible Earth due to Glacial Isostatic Adjustment

mwckk - Posted on 23 December 2015

Project Description: 

The aim of this project is to construct a finite element model to simulate the viscoelastic deformation of the Earth caused by Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA). By using the finite element method, effects of nonlinear rheology can be studied. And more realistic material parameters profiles (including lateral inhomogeneity) can be employed in the 3D Earth model.

Researcher name: 
Wong Ching Kit
Researcher position: 
MPhil student
Researcher department: 
Department of Earth Sciences
Researcher email: 
mwckk@hku.hk
Research Project Details
Project Duration: 
12/2015-09/2017
Project Significance: 
Modeling the viscoelastic deformation is important because the result could improve the accuracy of prediction of regional crustal uplift caused by GIA in Canada and Northern Europe. The modeled gravity perturbation caused by viscoelastic deformation could also be used to calibrate the geoid (a high precision gravitational potential referencing system of the Earth). Besides, the hypothesis that intraplate earthquakes occurred in Canada and Northern Europe is caused by post glacial rebound could be verified.
Remarks: 
The 3D earth model will be consisted of 20 layers and each layer will be subdivided into 0.5deg x 0.5deg grid, so that the finite element model will contain at least 1.3 million elements. Such computation requires high performance computer with at least 8 GB of RAM to run and 200 GB of storage for the results of each job.