The Earth's lithospheric movements and geomorphology serve as a crucial lens for understanding the dynamic behavior of the planet's interior. Surface observations offer key insights into mantle convection patterns across space and time, while seismic data provides a contemporary snapshot, and they constitute important constraints for theoretical models. Geological records contribute invaluable spatial-temporal information on the historical vertical motion of the lithosphere. Geomorphology of volcanoes and volcanic features contains inherent information on the wide range of geologic and geomorphic processes that construct and degrade them. These collective observations facilitate addressing still-standing debates, for instance on mechanisms (i.e. active margin-related versus mantle plume-related),, amalgamation/collision timings, and the evolution of biosphere pathways leading to the formation of Gondwana.

This session offers a comprehensive examination of Earth's dynamic processes since Gondwana formation, encompassing geophysical, geochemical, geomorphological, seismological, stratigraphic, and volcanic aspects, along with investigations in submarine and subglacial environments, and numerical modeling. It presents a platform for diverse presenters and attendees, spanning various disciplines, demographics, and career stages, to actively participate in addressing exciting and emerging challenges in Earth science.

The introduction of the plate tectonics theory in the 1960s has been able to satisfactory explain ~90% of the Earth’s volcanism, attributing it to either convergent or divergent plate boundaries. However, the origin of a significant amount of volcanism occurring on the interior of both continental and oceanic tectonic plates – widely known as intraplate volcanism – is considered to be unrelated to common plate boundary processes. A variety of models have been developed to explain the origins of this enigmatic type of magmatism. With time, technological breakthroughs have enabled improvement of instrumentation, resolution, and numerical modelling, as well as the development of new techniques that allow us to better understand mantle dynamics in the Earth’s interior. This technological improvement has helped re-evaluate and refine existing models and develop new models on the origins of intraplate magmatism. These models in turn, provide better insights on processes at depth, and also shed light on the complex interactions between the mantle and the surface. Understanding what triggers magmatism away from plate boundaries is critical to understand and reconstruct the evolution of Earth’s mantle through time, especially in eras where the tectonic plates weren’t yet developed or when the surface of the Earth was dominated by supercontinents. Investigating the relationship between the kinematics and mechanics of the tectonic plates on the one hand and the mantle dynamics on the other can give insights on the impact of the magmatism on the plates themselves. Moreover, deciphering the origins of intraplate magmatism on Earth can give us invaluable knowledge towards understanding magmatism on other planetary bodies in the solar system and beyond.
We welcome contributions dealing with the origins and evolution of intraplate magmatism, both in continental and oceanic settings, using a variety of approaches and techniques to tackle outstanding questions, such as but not limited to: petrological, geochemical, geochgronological and isotopic data, geophysical and geodynamical analysis, and seismological data. The aim of the session is to bring together scientists looking to understand intraplate magmatism using different approaches and to enhance discussion and collaboration between the various disciplines.

In this session we want to celebrate the scientific achievements of W. Jason Morgan, the discoverer of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Plumes, while looking into the future developments of the scientific revolution that he helped to ignite. Fifty years after their discovery, we still have basic questions in our understanding of how Plate Tectonics and Mantle Plumes are linked to the flow structure of the mantle, heat loss from Earth's core, and Earth's evolution from its accretion to the present day. Inspired by these concepts, the modern subdisciplines of Tectonics, Geodynamics, Seismology, Geochemistry, and Earth Magnetism/Rock Physics continue to grapple with gaining a deeper understanding of our planet. Here we welcome contributions that highlight recent progress and problems in this endeavor.

The origin and evolution of the continental lithosphere is closely linked to changes in mantle dynamics through time, from its formation through melt depletion to multistage reworking and reorganisation related to interaction with melts formed both beneath and within it. Understanding this history is critical to constraining terrestrial dynamics, element cycles and metallogeny. We welcome contributions dealing with: (1) Reconstructions of the structure and composition of the lithospheric mantle, and the influence of plumes and subduction zones on root construction; (2) Interactions of plume- and subduction-derived melts and fluids with the continental lithosphere, and the nature and development of metasomatic agents; (3) Source rocks, formation conditions (P-T-fO2) and evolution of mantle melts originating below or in the mantle lithosphere; (4) Deep source regions, melting processes and phase transformation in mantle plumes and their fluids; (5) Modes of melt migration and ascent, as constrained from numerical modelling and microstructures of natural mantle samples; (6) Role of mantle melts and fluids in the generation of hybrid and acid magmas.These topics can be illuminated using the geochemistry and fabric of mantle xenoliths and orogenic peridotites, mantle-derived melts and experimental simulations.

The first half of Earth’s history (Hadean to Paleoproterozoic) laid the foundations for the planet we know today. But how and why it differed and how and why it evolved remain enduring questions.
In this session, we encourage the presentation of new approaches that improve our understanding on the formation, structure, and evolution of the early Earth ranging from the mantle and lithosphere to the atmosphere, oceans and biosphere, and interactions between these reservoirs.
This session aims to bring together scientists from a large range of disciplines to provide an interdisciplinary and comprehensive overview of the field. This includes, but is not limited to, fields such as early mantle dynamics, the formation, evolution and destruction of the early crust and lithosphere, early surface environments and the evolution of the early biosphere, mineral deposits, and how possible tectonic regimes impacted across the early Earth system.

Dynamical processes shape the Earth and other rocky planets throughout their history; their present state is a result of this long-term evolution. Early on, processes and lifetimes of magma oceans establish the initial conditions for their long-term development; subsequently their long-term evolution is shaped by the dynamics of the mantle-lithosphere system, compositional differentiation or mixing, possible core-mantle reactions, etc.. These processes can be interrogated through observations of the rock record, geochemistry, seismology, gravity, magnetism and planetary remote sensing all linked through geodynamical modelling constrained by physical properties of relevant phases.

This session aims to provide a holistic view of the dynamics, structure, composition and evolution of Earth and rocky planets (including exoplanets) on temporal scales ranging from the present day to billions of years, and on spatial scales ranging from microscopic to global, by bringing together constraints from geodynamics, mineral physics, geochemistry, petrology, planetary science and astronomy.

In June 2021, NASA and ESA selected a fleet of three international missions to Venus. Moreover, the ISRO orbiter mission Shukrayyan-1 and VOICE (Chinese Academy of Sciences) are currently proposed for launch in the mid 2020s. With the ‘Decade of Venus’ upon us, many fundamental questions remain regarding Venus. Did Venus ever have an ocean? How and when did intense greenhouse conditions develop? How does its internal structure compare to Earth's? How can we better understand Venus’ geologic history as preserved on its surface as well as the present-day state of activity and couplings between the surface and atmosphere? Although Venus is one of the most uninhabitable planets in the Solar System, understanding our nearest planetary neighbor may unveil important lessons on atmospheric and surface processes, interior dynamics and habitability. It may further help us draw important conclusions on the history of our own planet. Beyond the solar system, Venus’ analogues are likely a common type of exoplanets, and we likely have already discovered many of Venus’ sisters orbiting other stars. This session welcomes contributions that address the past, present, and future of Venus science and exploration, and what Venus can teach us about (ancient) Earth as well as exo-Venus analogues. Moreover, Venus mission concepts, new Venus observations, Earth-Venus comparisons, exoplanet observations, new results from previous observations, and the latest lab and modelling approaches are all welcome to our discussion of solving Venus’ mysteries.

This session aims to bring together a diverse group of scientists who are interested in how life and planetary processes have co-evolved over geological time. This includes studies of how paleoenvironments have contributed to biological evolution and vice-versa, linking fossil records to paleo-Earth processes and the influence of tectonic and magmatic processes on the evolution of life. As an inherently multi-disciplinary subject, we aspire to better understand the complex coupling of biogeochemical cycles and life, the links between mass extinctions and their causal geological events and how fossil records shed light on ecosystem drivers over deep time. We aim to understand our planet and its biosphere through both observation- and modelling-based studies.

Subduction drives plate tectonics, generating the major proportion of subaerial volcanism, releasing >90% seismic moment magnitude, forming continents, and recycling lithosphere. Numerical and laboratory modelling studies have successfully built our understanding of many aspects of the geodynamics of subduction zones. Detailed geochemical studies, investigating compositional variation within and between volcanic arcs, provide further insights into systematic chemical processes at the slab surface and within the mantle wedge, providing constraints on thermal structures and material transport within subduction zones. However, with different technical and methodological approaches, model set-ups, inputs, and material properties, and in some cases conflicting conclusions between chemical and physical models, a consistent picture of the controlling parameters of subduction-zone processes has so far not emerged.

This session aims to follow subducting lithosphere on its journey from the surface down into the Earth's mantle and to understand the driving processes for deformation and magmatism in the over-riding plate. We aim to address topics such as: subduction initiation and dynamics; changes in mineral breakdown processes at the slab surface; the formation and migration of fluids and melts at the slab surface; primary melt generation in the wedge; subduction-related magmatism; controls on the position and width of the volcanic arc; subduction-induced seismicity; mantle wedge processes; the fate of subducted crust, sediments and volatiles; the importance of subducting seamounts, LIPs, and ridges; links between near-surface processes and slab dynamics and with regional tectonic evolution; slab delamination and break-off; the effect of subduction on mantle flow; and imaging subduction zone processes.

With this session, we aim to form an integrated picture of the subduction process and invite contributions from a wide range of disciplines, such as geodynamics, modelling, geochemistry, petrology, volcanology, and seismology, to discuss subduction zone dynamics at all scales from the surface to the lower mantle, or in applications to natural laboratories.

Relative motions at plate boundaries allow the Earth’s crust to compensate forces driven by global plate tectonics. Mid-oceanic ridges (MORs) provide the unique opportunity to study two of the three plate boundaries: divergent at the ridge axis and strike-slip at transform faults (off-setting the ridge axis). Knowledge of the active and past processes building and altering the oceanic lithosphere has increased over the past 20 years due to advances in deep sea research technologies and numerical modelling techniques. Yet, several questions remain open, such as the relative role of magmatic, tectonic and hydrothermal processes in the formation of the oceanic lithosphere at the ridge axis, especially at slow and ultra-slow spreading ridges and at their intersection with transform faults. Transform faults and their extension into fracture zones, for example, remain largely under-studied features. For a long time, they were considered as cold and inactive; however, evidence for magmatism emerged recently inside both features. Given the complex network of faults associated with these structures, they represent ideal pathways for hydrothermal percolation into the Earth’s lithosphere and may therefore play a significant role in the chemical and the thermal budget of the planet, as well as in the chemical exchange with the ocean (e.g., nutrients). This session aims at fostering the scientific exchange across all disciplines studying mid-oceanic ridge axes, transform faults and fracture zones. Studies building on the use of cutting-edge deep-sea research technology are particularly welcome. The session also welcomes recent developments in thermo-mechanical models, which integrate geophysical and geological data with numerical modelling tools, bridging the gap between observations and numerical models.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Wilson Cycle processes (i.e. processes controlling rifting, drifting and inversion) involve complexities not easily explained by standard models, especially in oblique and transform settings. In rifted margins, oceans and orogens, abundant data showcases the significance of inherited geological structures, lithospheric rheology, time-dependence, surface processes, magmatism, obliquity, and geometry in processes of rifting, drifting and inversion, yet our understanding of the role and interaction of these factors remains far from complete. Unexpected discoveries, such as continental material far offshore (e.g. at the Rio Grande Rise) and wide-magmatic rifted margins (e.g. the Laxmi Basin), challenge conventional models and exemplify the need for further work on Wilson Cycle processes. This session aims to bring together new observations, models, and ideas to help us understand the complex factors influencing rifting, drifting, and inversion, at orthogonal, oblique and/or transform settings. Works investigating time-dependence, inheritance, plate kinematics, strain localisation, magmatism, obliquity, interior plate deformation, driving forces, sedimentation, surface processes, and the interaction/feedback between processes controlling the Wilson Cycle are therefore welcomed to this session. Contributions from any geoscience discipline, including geophysics, marine geophysics, seismology, ocean drilling, geochemistry, petrology, plate kinematics, tectonics, sedimentology, field and structural geology, numerical and analogue modelling, or thermo and geochronology etc., are sought. We particularly encourage cross-disciplinarity, innovative studies, the spanning of spatio-temporal scales, and thought-provoking ideas that challenge conventions from any and all researchers.

Solicited speakers for this session are Pauline Chenin and Gianreto Manatschal.

Continental rifting is a complex process spanning from the inception of extension to continental rupture or the formation of a failed rift. This session aims at combining new data, concepts and techniques elucidating the structure and dynamics of rifts and rifted margins. We invite submissions highlighting the time-dependent evolution of processes such as: initiation and growth of faults and ductile shear zones, tectonic and sedimentary history, magma migration, storage and volcanism, lithospheric necking and rift strength loss, influence of the pre-rift lithospheric structure, rift kinematics and plate motion, mantle flow and dynamic topography, as well as break-up and the transition to sea-floor spreading. We encourage contributions using multi-disciplinary and innovative methods from field geology, geochronology, geochemistry, petrology, seismology, geodesy, marine geophysics, plate reconstruction, or numerical or analogue modelling. Special emphasis will be given to presentations that provide an integrated picture by combining results from active rifts, passive margins, failed rift arms or by bridging the temporal and spatial scales associated with rifting.

The session topic is interpretation and modelling of the geodynamic processes in the lithosphere-asthenosphere system and the interaction between crust and lithospheric mantle, as well as the importance of these processes for the formation of the discontinuities that we today observe in the crust and mantle. We aim at establishing links between seismological observations and process-oriented modelling studies to better understand the relation between present-day fabrics of the lithosphere and contemporary deformation and ongoing dynamics within the asthenospheric mantle. Methodologically, the contributions will include studies based on application of geochemical, petrological, tectonic and geophysical (seismic, thermal, gravity, electro-magnetic) methods with emphasis on integrated interpretations.

We invite, in particular multidisciplinary, contributions which focus on the structure, deformation and evolution of the continental crust and upper mantle and on the nature of mantle discontinuities. The latter include, but are not limited to, the mid-lithosphere discontinuity (MLD), the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB), and the mantle transition zone, as imaged by various seismological techniques and interpreted with interdisciplinary approaches. Papers with focus on the structure of the crust and the nature of the Moho are also welcome.

The session is dedicated to the processing and modelling of gravity and magnetic field data related to spatial and temporal variations at all scales. This includes studies on modern processing and interpretation methods (e.g. including machine learning) as well as forward and inverse modelling case studies. Of special interest are studies dedicated to the crustal or lithospheric structure by integrating gravity and magnetic methods with other geophysical data (e.g. petrophysics, seismic) or combining data from terrestrial, airborne and satellite missions.

The intricate links between crustal deformation, mantle dynamics, and climate-driven surface processes have long been acknowledged as primary drivers shaping the evolution of orogens and sedimentary basins. Tectonics, climate, and surface processes all leave fingerprints on modern topography, making it difficult for researchers to univocally characterize their contribution to shaping landscapes. Unraveling the distinct roles of crustal, deep mantle, and climatic forcings poses a formidable challenge due to the vast range of spatial and temporal scales involved in these processes. The comprehensive study of such dynamic systems necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating observational data from field studies, geophysical and subsurface data analysis, quantification methods of rock or surface uplift rates and erosion rates, as well as both analogue and numerical modeling techniques.

We invite contributions that delve into the exploration of orogenesis and sedimentary basin evolution, emphasizing their intricate connections to surface processes, and the underlying dynamics of crustal and mantle forcings. Furthermore, we encourage studies utilizing a diverse array of methodologies, including analogue and numerical models, along with quantitative techniques like cosmogenic nuclides and thermochronometers, as well as field studies. This collective effort aims to quantify and elucidate the intricate coupling between tectonics and surface processes in these dynamic geological systems and the links to mantle forcings.

Many regions of the Earth, from crust to core, exhibit anisotropic fabrics which can reveal much about geodynamic processes in the subsurface. These fabrics can exist at a variety of scales, from crystallographic orientations to regional structure alignments. In the past few decades, a tremendous body of multidisciplinary research has been dedicated to characterizing anisotropy in the solid Earth and understanding its geodynamical implications. This has included work in fields such as: (1) geophysics, to make in situ observations and construct models of anisotropic properties at a range of depths; (2) mineral physics, to explain the cause of some of these observations; and (3) numerical modelling, to relate the inferred fabrics to regional stress and flow regimes and, thus, geodynamic processes in the Earth. The study of anisotropy in the Solid Earth encompasses topics so diverse that it often appears fragmented according to regions of interest, e.g., the upper or lower crust, oceanic lithosphere, continental lithosphere, cratons, subduction zones, D'', or the inner core. The aim of this session is to bring together scientists working on different aspects of anisotropy to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. We encourage contributions from all disciplines of the earth sciences (including mineral physics, seismology, magnetotellurics, geodynamic modelling) focused on anisotropy at all scales and depths within the Earth.

The goal of this session is to reconcile short-time/small-scale and long-time/large-scale observations, including geodynamic processes such as subduction, collision, rifting, or mantle lithosphere interactions. Despite the remarkable advances in experimental rock mechanics, the implications of rock-mechanics data for large temporal and spatial scale tectonic processes are still not straightforward, since the latter are strongly controlled by local lithological stratification of the lithosphere, its thermal structure, fluid content, tectonic heritage, metamorphic reactions, and deformation rates.

Mineral reactions have mechanical effects that may result in the development of pressure variations and thus are critical for interpreting microstructural and mineral composition observations. Such effects may fundamentally influence element transport properties and rheological behavior.
Here, we encourage presentations focused on the interplay between metamorphic processes and deformation on all scales, on the rheological behavior of crustal and mantle rocks, and time scales of metamorphic reactions in order to discuss
(1) how and when up to GPa-level differential stress and pressure variations can be built and maintained at geological timescales and modeling of such systems,
(2) deviations from lithostatic pressure during metamorphism: fact or fiction?
(3) the impact of deviations from lithostatic pressure on geodynamic reconstructions.
(4) the effect of porous fluid and partial melting on the long-term strength.
We, therefore, invite the researchers from different domains (rock mechanics, petrographic observations, geodynamic and thermo-mechanical modeling) to share their views on the way forward for improving our knowledge of the long-term rheology and chemo-thermo-mechanical behavior of the lithosphere and mantle.

Geological materials such as ice and olivine are often modelled as viscous fluids at the large scale. However, they have complex, evolving microstructures which are not present in normal fluids, and these can have a significant impact on large-scale flow behaviour. These different materials have many commonalities in how the evolving microstructure influences the large scale flow, yet research is often siloed into individual disciplines.

With this session, we aim to bring together researchers from a range of disciplines, studying a variety of anisotropic materials, and working on different aspects of complex viscous flow such as: viscous anisotropy related to CPO or extrinsic microstructures; crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) or fabric evolution; other controls on rheology such as grain size, dynamic recrystallisation and deformation mechanisms; and impact of rheology on complex flow, e.g. in the transition through a shear margin.

We encourage submissions investigating this topic through numerical modelling, laboratory experiments and observational studies. We are aiming to convene an inclusive and collaborative session, and invite contributions from all disciplines. We particularly encourage early career researchers to participate.

The dynamic response of the solid Earth to the waxing and waning of ice sheets and corresponding spatial and temporal sea-level changes is termed Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA). This process, like solid Earth tides, oceanic load tide, other short-period surface loading (e.g., continental water), and normal-mode oscillations, causes surface deformation and changes in the gravity field, rotation, and stress state of the Earth. Different types of observational data, now standardized, help constrain highly sophisticated models of the Earth. They also serve as a tool to constrain the rheological properties of the Earth.

We aim to bring together researchers working on GIA, body tides, short-period loading problems, and normal modes with the broad goal of using these various processes to better understand the interior of the Earth and other planets across these wide temporal and spatial scales. This session is co-sponsored by the SCAR sub-committee INSTANT-EIS, Earth - Ice - Sea level, in view of instabilities and thresholds in Antarctica (https://www.scar.org/science/instant/home/).

Understanding the structures and dynamics of the core of a planet is essential to constructing a global geochemical and geodynamical model, and has implication on the planet's thermal, compositional and orbital evolution.

Remote sensing of planetary interiors from space and ground based observations is entering a new era with perspectives in constraining their core structures and dynamics. Meanwhile, increasingly accurate seismic data provide unprecedented images of the Earth's deep interior. Unraveling planetary cores' structures and dynamics requires a synergy between many fields of expertise, such as mineral physics, geochemistry, seismology, fluid mechanics or geomagnetism.

This session welcomes contributions from all the aforementioned disciplines following theoretical, numerical, observational or experimental approaches.

The western South American subduction zone is among the largest subduction systems on the planet and stands out as the archetype of ocean-continent convergent margins. Compared to other subduction zones, the region is notable because it is associated with the largest accretionary orogen of the world (The Andes cordillera), it shows several regions of flat slab subduction, and it hosted some of the largest instrumentally recorded earthquakes. Over the last years and decades, significant progress has been achieved in characterizing and imaging the constituent parts of the South American subduction zone (downgoing oceanic plates, South American upper plate, plate interface between them, mantle wedge beneath the upper plate) as well in the understanding of geodynamic and seismotectonic processes shaping the convergent margin.

In this session, we aim to bring together scientists and contributions from a wide variety of disciplines that try to constrain and understand past and ongoing processes in this subduction zone. These can include, but are not limited to: seismo-geodetic studies of slow and fast deformation along the plate interface; geophysical studies of subduction zone structure, geometry and fluid processes; analog and numerical modeling studies of this subduction zone; studies on faulting or fluid processes in the upper plate; offshore studies on bathymetry and structure of the downgoing plate or the outer forearc; studies of Andean magmatism, volcanic processes and their link to tectonics.

The Tethyan Belt is the most prominent collisional zone on Earth, covering the vast area between far eastern Asia and Europe. The geological-tectonic evolution of the belt shows along-strike heterogeneity between its various regions, including the Indo-Burman Range, the Tibetan-Himalayan region, the Iranian Plateau, Anatolia and the Alps. The Tethyan Belt is the result of the subduction of the Tethyan Oceans, including significant terrane amalgamation, and collisional tectonics along the whole belt. The belt is today strongly affected by the ongoing convergence and collision between the Eurasian, African, Arabian and Indian plates. The long formation history and the variability of tectonic characteristics and deep structures of the belt make it a natural laboratory for understanding the accretion processes that have shaped the Earth through its history and have led to the formation of vast resources in the crust.

We invite contributions based on geological, tectonic, geophysical and geodynamic studies of the Tethyan Belt. We particularly invite interdisciplinary studies, which integrate observational data and interpretations based on a variety of methods. This session will include contributions on the whole suite of studies of the Tethyan Belt with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of its formation and evolution.

The Alps, a representative orogenic system, offers an exceptional natural laboratory to study the evolution of mountain-building processes from short- to long-term scales, including the evolution of a plate margin, from rifting to subduction, inheritance from previous orogenic cycles), ophiolite emplacement, collision and exhumation, upper-plate and foreland basin evolution.

Advances in a variety of geophysical and geological fields provide a rich and growing set of constraints on the crust-lithosphere and mantle structure, tectonics and geodynamics of the entire mountain belt.

We invite contributions from different and multi-disciplinary perspectives ranging from the Earth’s surface to the mantle, and based on geology (tectonics, petrology, stratigraphy, geo- and thermochronology, geochemistry, paleomagnetism and geomorphology), geophysics (seismotectonics, seismic tomography and anisotropy) and geodesy and modelling (numerical and analogue). The aim is for contributions to provide new insight and observation on the record of subduction/collision, pre-Alpine orogenic stages; the influence of structural and palaeogeographic configuration; plate/mantle dynamics relationships; coupling between deep and surface processes.

Geological and geophysical data sets convey observations of physical processes governing the Earth’s evolution. Such data sets are widely varied and range from the internal structure of the Earth, plate kinematics, composition of geomaterials, estimation of physical conditions, dating of key geological events, thermal state of the Earth to more shallow processes such as natural and “engineered” reservoir dynamics in the subsurface.

The complexity in the physics of geological processes arises from their multi-physics nature, as they combine hydrological, thermal, chemical and mechanical processes. Multi-physics couplings are prone to nonlinear interactions ultimately leading to spontaneous localisation of flow and deformation. Understanding the couplings among those processes therefore requires the development of appropriate numerical tools.

Integrating high-quality data into physics-based predictive numerical simulations may lead to a constructive workflow and allow to further constrain unknown key parameters within the models. Innovative inversion strategies, linking forward dynamic models with observables, and combining PDE solvers with machine-learning via differentiable programming is therefore an important research topic that will improve our knowledge of the governing physical parameters.

We invite contributions from the following two complementary themes:

#1 Computational advances associated with
- alternative spatial and/or temporal discretisation for existing forward/inverse models
- scalable HPC implementations of new and existing methodologies (GPUs / multi-core)
- solver and preconditioner developments
- Combining PDEs with AI / Machine learning-based approaches (physics-informed ML)
- Automatic differentiation (AD) and differentiable programming
- code and methodology comparisons (“benchmarks”)

#2 Physics advances associated with
- development of partial differential equations to describe geological processes
- inversion strategies and adjoint-based modelling
- numerical model validation through comparison with observables (data)
- scientific discovery enabled by 2D and 3D modelling
- utilisation of coupled models to explore nonlinear interactions

We plan on a special topical issue for the research output presented in this session in the EGU journal of Geoscientific Model Development (GMD) https://www.geoscientific-model-development.net.

Mantle circulation simulations are now capable of a high level of precision and complexity that allows the creation of numerous "Earth-like" models. Likewise, advances in observation resources and methods have improved the quantity and quality of data on the Earth's interior. Combining these developments presents a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of mantle dynamics and evolution over geological time scales. However, the exact physics leading to Earth-like simulations remains debated (e.g. the existence of a primordial layer, the core-mantle-boundary temperature, etc...). Furthermore, constraining geodynamical simulations or assessing their predictions with observational data can be challenging, for example, due to data noise, issues related to inverse methods, or uncertainty propagation.

This session aims to explore how observational data can be used to constrain or assess geodynamical simulations and advance our knowledge of the physical processes that govern the Earth's mantle. We invite submissions from various fields, including seismology, geochemistry, mineral physics or geomagnetism where observations have the potential to constrain geodynamical simulations or assess their predictions. The nature of these studies can be purely observational, exploring the inversion of data to possible Earth models or proposing metrics to assess how Earth-like a model is.

This session also aims to compare these observations and address their potential to constrain or assess geodynamical simulations, with the ultimate goal of better understanding which parameters may cause models to be more or less Earth-like.

Geologic processes are generally too slow, too rare, or too deep to be observed in-situ and to be monitored with a resolution high enough to understand their dynamics. Analogue experiments and numerical simulation have thus become an integral part of the Earth explorer's toolbox to select, formulate, and test hypotheses on the origin and evolution of geological phenomena.

To foster synergy between the rather independently evolving experimentalists and modellers we provide a multi-disciplinary platform to discuss research on tectonics, structural geology, rock mechanics, geodynamics, volcanology, geomorphology, and sedimentology.

We therefore invite contributions demonstrating the state-of-the-art in analogue and numerical / analytical modelling on a variety of spatial and temporal scales, varying from earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions to sedimentary processes, plate tectonics and landscape evolution. We especially welcome those presentations that discuss model strengths and weaknesses, challenge the existing limits, or compare/combine the different modelling techniques to realistically simulate and better understand the Earth's behaviour.

The main goal of this short course is to provide an introduction into the basic concepts of numerical modelling of solid Earth processes in the Earth’s crust and mantle in a non-technical manner. We discuss the building blocks of a numerical code and how to set up a model to study geodynamic problems. Emphasis is put on best practices and their implementations including code verification, model validation, internal consistency checks, and software and data management.

The short course introduces the following topics:
(1) The physical model, including the conservation and constitutive equations
(2) The numerical model, including numerical methods, discretisation, and kinematical descriptions
(3) Code verification, including benchmarking
(4) Model design, including modelling philosophies
(5) Model validation and subsequent analysis
(6) Communication of modelling results and effective software, data, and resource management

Armed with the knowledge of a typical numerical modelling workflow, participants will be better able to critically assess geodynamic numerical modelling papers and know how to start with numerical modelling.

This short course is aimed at everyone who is interested in, but not necessarily experienced with, geodynamic numerical models; in particular early career scientists (BSc, MSc, PhD students and postdocs) and people who are new to the field of geodynamic modelling.

This short course aims to introduce non-geologists to the structural geological and petrological principles that are used by geologists to study system earth.

The data available to geologists is often minimal, incomplete, and representative only for part of the geological history. Besides learning the field techniques that are needed to take measurements and acquire data, geologists also need to develop a logical way of thinking to overcome these challenges and to solve this complex puzzle.

In this course we briefly introduce the following subjects:
1) Geology rocks: Introduction to the principles of geology.
2) Moving rocks: The basics of plate tectonics.
3) Breaking rocks: From lab experiments to natural examples.
4) Dating rocks: Absolute and relative dating of rocks.
5) Shaping rocks: Using the morphology of landscapes as tectonic constraints.
6) Q&A!

Our aim is not to make you the next specialist in geology, but we will try and make you aware of the challenges a geologist faces when they go out into the field. We will also address currently used methodologies for the collection of geological data, to give other earth scientists a feel for the capabilities and limitations of geological research.

This course is given by Early Career Scientists and forms a quintet with the short courses on ‘Geodynamics 101’, ‘Seismology 101’, ‘Tectonics 101’, and ‘Geodesy 101’. For this reason, we will also explain what kind of information we expect from the fields of geodynamics, seismology and geodesy, and we hope to receive input on the kind of information you could use from our side.

During this short course we will introduce the participants to the principles and application of analogue models in interpreting tectonic systems.

Tectonic processes act at different spatial and temporal scales. What we observe today in the field or via direct and indirect measurement is often just a snapshot of processes that stretch over hundreds or thousands of km, and take millions of years to unfold. Thus, it is challenging for researchers to interpret and recontrust the dynamic evolution of tectonic systems. Analogue modeling provides a tool to overcome this limitation, allowing for the physical reproduction of tectonic processes on practical temporal and spatial scales (Myr → hrs, km → cm/m). Of course, the reliability of analogue models is a function of the assumptions and simplifications involved, but still their usefulness in interpreting data is outstanding.

In this course we will go through the following outline:
- History of Analogue Modelling
- Model setups and Materials
- Model scaling
- Monitoring Techniques
- Interpreting Model Results
- Interactive Demonstration: Running a Model
- Q&A

The final aim of this short course will be to present analogue modeling as a valid technique to be applied side by side with observations and data from the real world to improve our interpretation of the evolution of natural tectonic systems. We also intend to inspire the course participants to develop and run their own analogue tectonic modeling projects, and to provide them with the basic skills, as well as directions to find the additional resources and knowledge required to do so.

How do seismologists detect earthquakes? How do we locate them? Is seismology only about earthquakes? Seismology has been integrated into a wide variety of geo-disciplines to be complementary to many fields such as tectonics, geology, geodynamics, volcanology, hydrology, glaciology and planetology. This 90-minute course is part of the Solid Earth 101 short course series together with 'Geodesy 101', ‘Geodynamics 101’, and ‘Geology 101’ to better illustrate the link between these fields.

In ‘Seismology 101’, we will present an introduction to the basic concepts and methods in seismology. In previous years, this course was given as "Seismology for non-seismologists" and it is still aimed at those not familiar with seismology -- in particular early career scientists. An overview will be given on various methods and processing techniques, which are applicable to investigate surface processes, near-surface geological structures and the Earth’s interior. The course will highlight the role that advanced seismological techniques can play in the co-interpretation of results from other fields. The topics will include:
- the basics of seismology, including the detection and location of earthquakes
- understanding and interpreting those enigmatic "beachballs"
- the difference between earthquake risks and hazards
- an introduction to free seismo-live.org tutorials and other useful tools
- how seismic methods are used to learn about the Earth, such as for imaging the Earth’s interior (on all scales), deciphering tectonics, monitoring volcanoes, landslides and glaciers, etc...

We likely won’t turn you into the next Charles Richter in 90 minutes but would rather like to make you aware how seismology can help you in geoscience. The intention is to discuss each topic in a non-technical manner, emphasising their strengths and potential shortcomings. This course will help non-seismologists to better understand seismic results and can facilitate more enriched discussion between different scientific disciplines. The short course is organised by early career scientist seismologists and geoscientists who will present examples from their own research experience and from high-impact reference studies for illustration. Questions from the audience on the topics covered will be highly encouraged.

Python is one of the fastest growing programming languages and has moved to the forefront in the earth system sciences (ESS), due to its usability, the applicability to a range of different data sources and, last but not least, the development of a considerable number ESS-friendly and ESS-specific packages.

This interactive Python course is aimed at ESS researchers who are interested in adding a new programming language to their repertoire. Except for some understanding of fundamental programming concepts (e.g. loops, conditions, functions etc.), this course presumes no previous knowledge of and experience in Python programming.

The goal of this course is to give the participants an introduction to the Python fundamentals and an overview of a selection of the most widely-used packages in ESS. The applicability of those packages ranges from (simple to advanced) number crunching (e.g. Numpy), to data analysis (e.g. Xarray, Pandas) to data visualization (e.g. Matplotlib).

The course will be grouped into different sections, based on topics discussed, packages introduced and field of application. Furthermore, each section will have an introduction to the main concepts e.g. fundamentals of a specific package and an interactive problem-set part.

This course welcomes active participation in terms of both on-site/virtual discussion and coding. To achieve this goal, the i) course curriculum and material will be provided in the form of Jupyter Notebooks ii) where the participants will have the opportunity to code up the iii) solutions to multiple problem sets and iv) have a pre-written working solution readily available. In these interactive sections of the course, participants are invited to try out the newly acquired skills and code up potentially different working solutions.

We very much encourage everyone who is interested in career development, data analysis and learning a new programming to join our course.

In recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have evolved at a very fast pace, revolutionizing, along the way, numerous sectors of modern society. ML has found countless applications in our daily lives, making it almost impossible to describe all of its uses. Notably, artificial neural networks (NNs) stand out as one of the most powerful and diverse classes of models. The NN-empowered tools assist in navigating our routes to the target destinations, providing personalized recommendations for entertainment, suggesting shopping preferences, classifying emails, translating text, and can even mimic human interactions in the form of chat bots. All of these applications are inspired by the same idea: using artificial intelligence can enhance our lives and boost efficiency when dealing with these tasks. The scientific community has seen a boom in machine learning studies, and many of the latest NN-based models outperform the traditional approaches by a very large margin. Therefore, the potential of integrating NN models into various scientific applications is boundless.

At the same time, NNs are usually criticized for being “black-box” models that are hard to interpret and understand, with an aura of mystery surrounding these algorithms. In this short course, we will delve into the foundations of neural networks, emphasizing approaches and best practices to model training, independent validation and testing, as well as model deployment. We will describe both the basic concepts and building blocks of the neural network architectures, and also touch upon the more advanced models. Our objective is to explain how neural network models can be understood in comprehensive but relatable terms for participants coming from a broad range of backgrounds.

The Python community is steadily growing in the field of Earth and Space Sciences, as many Python tools have evolved to more efficient and user-friendly status for handling geospatial data. In this short introductory course, we will help participants with a working knowledge of Python to familiarize themselves with the world of geospatial raster and vector data. We will introduce a set of tools from the Python ecosystem and show how these can be used to carry out practical geospatial data analysis tasks. We will use satellite images and public geo-datasets as examples, and demonstrate how they can be opened, explored, manipulated, combined, and visualized using Python. The tutorial will be based on the lesson “Introduction to Geospatial Raster and Vector data with Python” [1], which is part of the Incubator program [2] of The Carpentries [3].

We encourage participants to join with a laptop and code along with the instructors. Researchers and staff interested in teaching the lesson curriculum [1] at their own institutions are also very welcome to join the demo.

[1] https://carpentries-incubator.github.io/geospatial-python
[2] https://carpentries-incubator.org/
[3] https://carpentries.org