Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

Subduction zones and dynamic topography

Dr. Adam F. Holt, aholt@rsmas.miami.edu

Example subduction model

Topography arising from flow in the mantle is called “dynamic topography (DT)”. Separating DT from the other topography components is needed to constrain how the solid Earth flows and how sea level varies through geological time. Subduction zones are one of the primary generators of dynamic topography as they drive vigorous mantle flow. Despite this, we do not have a firm understanding of the dynamic topography attributable to Earth’s complex, global distribution of subduction zones. Guided by geological indicators and seismological images, the student will use sophisticated geodynamic models to incorporate subduction zones into global DT predictions.