Computational & Observational Geodynamics

Most of Earth's interior cannot be observed directly, yet its structure and dynamics leave signatures across the surface and geological record. The Computational and Observational Geodynamics group combines diverse observations with physical models to recover the processes that produced those signatures. Using inverse methods and data assimilation, we infer quantities that cannot be measured directly, including past states of the mantle, the viscosity structure that governs solid-Earth rebound, and groundwater stored beneath continents. This integration of observations, physics and computation lies at the heart of everything we do.

Our research spans the deep interior, the solid Earth and the land surface, across timescales ranging from millions of years to the present day. We study mantle convection and the long-term evolution of Earth's interior; how mantle flow creates dynamic topography and shapes landscapes; and how plate motions interact with the mantle beneath them. This work also helps reveal the geological processes that govern the formation and preservation of critical mineral systems.

On shorter timescales, we investigate how the solid Earth responds to changes in ice and water loads, advancing understanding of glacial isostatic adjustment and sea-level change. We also study groundwater movement and storage at continental scales. Across these fields, we develop computational tools and inverse methods that allow observations to place quantitative constraints on models of how Earth works.

We welcome students and collaborators interested in these questions. Our group is based primarily in the Jaeger 2 building. Please get in touch to discuss potential projects or collaborations.

Research topics

• Reconstructing the thermochemical evolution of Earth's mantle and its planetary heat engine
• Revealing how mantle flow creates dynamic topography and shapes evolving landscapes
• Investigating the dynamical mechanisms underpinning volcanism, including mantle plumes, melting and plume-lithosphere interaction
• Reconstructing plate tectonic evolution and investigating subduction, lithosphere-mantle coupling and the forces that drive plate motion
• Understanding the geodynamic controls on the formation, preservation and discovery of critical mineral systems
• Modelling interactions between the solid Earth, ice sheets and oceans, including glacial isostatic adjustment and sea-level change
• Tracking groundwater movement and storage at continental scales
• Fusing observations and physical models through inverse methods, adjoint techniques and data assimilation
• Building high-performance, open-source research software for computational geodynamics

Affiliations and connections

The group develops and maintains G-ADOPT, the Geoscientific ADjoint Optimisation PlaTform (gadopt.org), funded by AuScope and the Australian Research Data Commons. We contribute to national research infrastructure and partnerships including the AuScope CoastRI programme on glacial isostatic adjustment, the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, and the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, where we work on the geodynamic environments that control copper mineralisation.

Potential student projects

We welcome Honours, Masters and PhD students across the full range of our research. A few examples: reconstructing mantle flow through time with adjoint methods; dynamic topography and its record in the landscape; glacial isostatic adjustment and mantle viscosity beneath Antarctica; sea level in the mid-Pliocene warm period; the geodynamic setting of critical mineral systems; and data-driven modelling of continental groundwater. These are examples, not a fixed list, so if something nearby interests you, reach out to any of us.

Recent activity

We hold fortnightly group meetings and present regularly in the RSES school and student seminar series.