Course overview

David Whipp

25-29 May 2020

Let’s get to know one another

Who am I?

  • Dave Whipp, Associate professor

    • Geodynamics of convergent orogens

    • Geomorphology

    • High-performance computing

Who are you?

  • Name

  • Home university / study program

  • Degree pursued (Ph.D., MSc, etc.)

  • Thesis topic

Practical matters

Daily schedule

  • 9-12: Online meeting in Zoom

  • 12-15: Free working time for exercises

  • ~15-16: Online meeting in Zoom

Computer stuff and course website

Software

  • All software used in this course is freely available

  • A list of software available for download is provided on the course website (next slide)

Course website

  • All course materials will be posted to the course website: https://introgm.github.io

    • This page will provide links to lecture slides, scripts used for the course, and other materials

    • We will be updating the page as we go.

  • The materials are freely available for use by anyone, subject to the license, so feel free to share with your friends/colleagues!

Course goals and learning objectives

Course goals

  • Understand the fundamental physical equations solved in numerical geodynamic models, how they work, and how they affect numerical experiments

  • Learn how to convert the main equations used to model lithospheric deformation into simple programs

  • Develop a background understanding of geodynamics that allows you to properly understand the behavior of geodynamic numerical models

Learning objectives

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Solve partial differential equations using the finite-difference method

  • Differentiate between and implement various boundary and initial conditions in numerical models

  • Create their own 1D geodynamic models and know how to use modern 3D numerical geodynamic modelling software to simulate common physical processes in the Earth (heat transfer, rock deformation, etc.)

Working methods

The course involves a combination of lectures and computer-based exercises

  • I will try to keep lectures to a minimum, but we do need to present some material you will need to complete the computer exercises

  • For the computer exercises, you should work together your partner in the course and we will discuss your solutions after you have completed the daily exercises

Schedule

Subject to change - Last updated 22.5.2020

Press space to view each day

Day 1

Morning

  • 09:00-09:30 - Course overview and introductions

  • 09:30-11:15 - Key physical processes/concepts

  • 11:15-11:45 - Solving equations

  • 11:45-12:00 - Computer setup/introduction (optional)

Afternoon

  • 12:00-15:00 - Python/computing essentials (self study, exercises)

  • 15:00-16:00 - Python/computing essentials (review, Q&A)

Day 2

Morning

  • 09:00-10:30 - The finite-difference method, part I

  • 10:30-12:00 - Heat conduction and advection in 1D

Afternoon

  • 12:00-15:00 - Finite-difference method exercises

  • 15:00-16:00 - Exercise review and Q&A

Day 3

Morning

  • 09:00-10:30 - Testing your code and benchmarking

  • 10:30-12:00 - Solving the momentum and continuity equations

Afternoon

  • 12:00-15:00 - Momentum and continuity equations exercises

  • 15:00-16:00 - Exercise review and Q&A

Day 4

Morning

  • 09:00-10:30 - Cluster computing

  • 10:30-11:30 - Introduction to DOUAR

  • 11:30-12:00 - Running a DOUAR model

Afternoon

  • 12:00-14:30 - DOUAR exercise, putting it all together (self study)

  • 14:30-16:00 - Exercise review, Q&A, 3D visualization with ParaView

Day 5

Morning

  • 09:00-11:30 - Modifying / re-running DOUAR experiments

  • 11:30-12:00 - Course project description, DOUAR Q&A

Afternoon

  • 12:00-16:00 - Free time for experimentation with DOUAR

    • Dave available online from 12:00-14:00

Any questions?