Geodynamics
Philip England, Professor of Geology
Richard Katz, RCUK Academic Fellow
New web page: FOALAB
About our work
Geodynamics is the study of motion and change on Earth. It provides the quantitative foundation for the theory of Plate Tectonics, the basic organizing paradigm for our understanding of the Solid Earth. Geodynamicists have shown that plate tectonics is both the surface manifestation and a primary driving force of mantle convection. Geodynamics is much broader than mantle convection, however. In the Geodynamics Group at Oxford we're interested in extending the reach of geodynamics to new applications in Earth and planetary science through application of fundamental physics as well as through interdisciplinary collaboration.
The fundamentals of geodynamics are continuum mechanics, heat flow, chemical thermodynamics, and rheology. Mathematics is the central tool used to apply physical theories and create predictive models of the Earth. The steadily increasing power and scale of computers have made it possible to generate simulations of unprecedented fidelity to the natural world. At the same time, simple analogue experiments performed in the laboratory can serve as useful models of Earth processes and aid in developing new insight and theory. At Oxford we're pursuing all of these avenues of research.
Collaboration between disciplines is another important component of geodynamics research. Chemical geodynamics has been a particularly fruitful approach in which geochemical observations act as constraints or tests of geodynamic models. Seismology and seismic tomography are other areas where predictions from geodynamic models can be tested against observations. The diversity of Oxford's department of Earth Science facilitates such collaborations.
Opportunities
The group is looking for talented, motivated individuals with an interest in geodynamics and training in physics, applied mathematics, and/or computational science. Positions for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are available. Please email for details.
Affiliates and collaborators
Prof. Andrew Fowler (Maths Oxford and Univ Limerick), Prof. M. Grae Worster (ITG, Cambridge), the PETSc team (Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago), Dr. Helen Johnson (Earth Sci., Oxford), Dr. Stephen Peppin (OCCAM & KAUST, Oxford), Dr. Don Porcelli (Earth Sci., Oxford).