The dynamic nature of Earth systems (e.g. cryosphere and lithosphere) results in deformation of different materials in the solid state. For example, polycrystalline ice in glaciers, polar ice bodies and sea ice deform to adjust dynamically to their environment, and poly-mineralic rocks deform during crustal or mantle tectonics. The range of deformation processes and mechanisms can best be identified on the microscale but will control the behavior of the whole system. Understanding these can provide physically based knowledge on mechanical properties of the materials, which is the pre-requisite for constitutive relationships and predictions under changing conditions (e.g. global warming).

Recent advances in analysis, modeling and interpretation of microstructures in many Earth materials and shared expertise from different disciplines give important insight into the complex interplay of (sub-)grain microstructure, anisotropy, fluid or melt phases and impurities. Linking microstructures to geophysical signals such as radar imaging and seismic profiling promises important up-scaling possibilities which are mandatory with respect to Earth system modeling.

In view of natural versus laboratory time scales modeling, observational, and experimental methods have to be used. We encourage explicitly contributions from modeling as well as natural/experimental/analytical studies, which contribute to glaciology, geophysics, tectonics, or structural geology based on the identification of deformation processes and related mechanisms.

Invited speakers:
Christine McCarthy (Columbia University, NY, USA) and Wolfgang Müller (Royal Holloway University, UK)

This session is a contribution from the research networking programme on the Micro-Dynamics of ICE, Micro-DICE www.esf.org/microdice.