MAL1a
EGU 2020/2021 Arthur Holmes Medal Lectures

MAL1a

EGU 2020/2021 Arthur Holmes Medal Lectures
Conveners: Alberto Montanari, Helen Glaves
Presentations
| Tue, 20 Apr, 11:30–14:30 (CEST)
Vimeo: MAL1a – EGU 2020/2021 Arthur Holmes Medal Lectures

Session assets

Session materials

Presentations: Tue, 20 Apr

Chairpersons: Alberto Montanari, Helen Glaves
11:30–12:30
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EGU21-16014
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Arthur Holmes Medal Lecture 2020
Experimental access to Volcanic Eruptions and their role in the Earth System. 
Donald B. Dingwell

Few things are more central to earth history, planetary evolution and the earth system, than volcanism. Explosive volcanism in particular exhibits individual events whose impact can range from local to global. Developing a mechanistic understanding of the inner workings of volcanic systems is essential for understanding their behavior and modelling their impact. Experiments form a fundamental part of our modern scientific approach to volcanic research, an approach which relies heavily on materials characterisation. In the year 2021, we can look back on decades of  novel and highly innovative experimental approaches applied to the investigation of volcanic processes. The focus has ranged from pre-eruptive and eruptive dynamics  all the way to the fate  and importance of volcanic materials in the Earth System. The applied aspects of the work reach, for example, into eruption forecasting, hazard mapping and aviation safety. I will attempt portray the the long term strategy of the approach we have taken as well as providing comments on the likelihood of certain further developments in the near future.

How to cite: Dingwell, D. B.: Experimental access to Volcanic Eruptions and their role in the Earth System., EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-16014, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-16014, 2021.

Lunch break
Chairpersons: Alberto Montanari, Helen Glaves
13:30–14:30
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EGU21-594
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Arthur Holmes Medal Lecture 2021
Lithospheric deformation and mantle convection, a geological approach 
Laurent Jolivet
Whether the deformation of continents is entirely caused by stresses transmitted from plate boundaries horizontally through the lithospheric stress-guide or also by viscous coupling with the asthenosphere flowing underneath, which was part of Arthur Holmes’ early vision,  is a long-standing question. An increasing amount of observations suggests an efficient coupling between mantle flow and crustal deformation far from plate boundaries, tipping the scale toward the second option. Modern seismic reflection profiles probing the entire crust down to the Moho show asymmetrical features implying simple shear at crustal scale in compressional (mountain belts) and extensional (rifts and passive margins) contexts. Comparison of crustal-scale strain field with seismic anisotropy in strongly extended regions shows homoaxiality of crustal and mantle deformation in continental rifts and back-arc regions. 2-D and 3-D numerical models show that the flow of mantle underneath these regions is faster than in the crust and drives crustal deformation. Beside seismic tomography that images ancient slabs preserved as velocity anomalies in the deep mantle but does not provide any information on the timing, the geological history of basins and orogens, although indirectly, is the only record of past mantle convection. Looking for evidence of coupling between the tectonic history of wide regions and mantle convection in parallel with numerical modelling can provide clues on how convection drives crustal deformation. The recent evolution of numerical modelling, with high-resolution 3-D experiments, can now match the first order of regional models based on geological observations, including the timing and the sequence of events, which are both crucial elements of geological models. This will allow testing complex conceptual models that have been discussed for long. In this lecture, I review different contexts where these questions are debated. Among these contexts complex in 3-D where the geological data set is abundant, the Mediterranean and the Middle East allow discussing the respective contributions of whole-mantle convection involving large plumes vs more local convection in the upper mantle due to slab dynamics in crustal deformation. Studying the dynamics of the India-Asia collision, and the respective roles of lithospheric-scale indentation on the one hand and asthenospheric flow due to slab retreat on the Pacific rim and to large-scale plumes, on the other hand, is also likely to bring interesting insights on how deformation propagates within continents at long distance from plate boundaries.

How to cite: Jolivet, L.: Lithospheric deformation and mantle convection, a geological approach, EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-594, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-594, 2021.