The surface expressions of mantle dynamic processes on Earth are often difficult to reconstruct because subduction and seafloor spreading renews almost two thirds of the entire Earth's surface every 200 Ma, and plate motions disturb the direct links between the surface and the mantle. On other planetary bodies, mantle dynamic processes are more or less directly linked to their surface expression. For example, the coincidence of geoid and topographic highs with rift intersections and volcanic constructs suggests a direct relation of mantle upwelling zones to rupture of the lithosphere on Venus. On Earth, such a direct correlation can currently only be found on Iceland or in the East African Rift system. Many open questions still exist in planetary geodynamics: Is it possible to use seismic tomography observations of the Earth to infer plume generation patterns for other planets? Do lower mantle Large Low Shear wave Velocity provinces exist on other planets? How and where do plumes form? How strong is their impact on the shape of planets and their surface? How long do convection patterns survive? How do past convection patterns influence the current shape of planets and the structure of their lithospheres?

This session invites contributions that evaluate geodynamic processes from a comparative perspective, using either the Earth or other planetary bodies as guide. We seek to understand the interaction of mantle dynamics and lithospheric processes, and their resulting surface expression, under a range of different (plate) tectonic and mantle regimes. We welcome studies on all aspect of comparative planetology, such as, for example, analysis of satellite potential field or remote sensing data, numerical modelling, and analytical studies that will give us a better understanding of the physics and/or thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of our Earth as well as other planets or exoplanets.