2.4. Component 4 ‘Process modelling and validation’

The subject of this component, modelling of Solid-Earth processes, is going through the important transition from kinematic to dynamic modelling. This development cannot take place without interaction with (sub)disciplines addressing the Earth’s structure and kinematics, or reconstructions of geological processes. In fact, the advances in structure-related research, in particular the advent of 3-D seismic velocity models, have set the stage for studies on dynamic processes inside the Earth. In short, structural information (component 1, 2) is a prerequisite for modelling Solid-Earth processes. Similarly, information on present-day horizontal and vertical motions (component 1), as well as reconstructed past motions, temperatures or other process characteristics (component 3), is used to formulate and test hypotheses concerning dynamic processes. Inversely, the results of process modelling motivate and guide research in component 1, 2 and 3.

Through the emphasis on process dynamics, it is particularly in this component that the full benefits of coupling of spatial and temporal scales are expected to become apparent. The scale of processes studied ranges from the planetary scale to the small scale relevant to sedimentary processes, the depth scale being reduced accordingly.

In spite of the great successes of the plate tectonic theory in modern Earth sciences, fundamental questions still remain concerning the evolution of continents (or continental lithosphere) and their role in the dynamics of the Earth's surface, lithosphere and mantle. The growth process of continents (on the scale of a differentiating planet), their thickness and their dynamic coupling with the underlying mantle are topics requiring focused attention from a series of subdisciplines (see Artemieva, 2006).

Equally important questions remain to be solved on mechanisms controlling continental tectonics and their effects on vertical motions, dynamic topography, and sedimentary basin formation. Vital in this respect are the dynamics of rifting, subduction and orogeny (mountain building) and their effects on continental platform evolution and ocean-continent boundary processes.

For the quantification of Solid-Earth processes the coupling of internal and external forcing has to be addressed. Starting from the large scale mantle and lithospheric structure and processes, increasingly finer scales of crustal structure and processes, the dynamics of topography and sedimentary basins and their fill need to be analyzed. TOPO-EUROPE concentrates its process modelling efforts on a number of topics, for each of which a brief description and an outline of the proposed research is given below.