Geodynamics is the study of the Earth's evolution; it is the study of changes in the physical and chemical states of “the Earth beneath our feet” over various time and spatial scales. One of the critical aspects of the evolving Earth is the moving tectonic plates that comprise the outer-most layer of the Solid Earth. Their motion results in the formation of various tectonic environments, and where an oceanic plate sinks into the mantle beneath another plate at convergent plate boundaries, a subduction zone is formed. This process of plate subduction shapes some of the world’s highly populated coastal environments and is associated with natural processes that impact human populations both positively (e.g., through natural resources, such as minerals and energy) and negatively (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis). Our lab aims to provide a better understanding of the inner workings of subduction zones.
This video was created by Trey Brink as one of his 2018 summer internship projects.