Geodynamics of the Adria Microplate, from the Mantle to the Surface

The Western-Central Mediterranean region is characterized by a wide diversity of geodynamic processes in the context of the plate convergence between Africa and Eurasia during the entire Alpine Cycle. The present-day structure of the Adria microplate is a key piece for understanding the dynamics of this tectonic region. Working in an interdisciplinary group, the PhD student will integrate several numerical techniques to better understand the Adria plate margins, in terms of composition, temperature and rheological conditions. The students’ tasks will consist of using and sometimes writing numerical codes, as well as getting familiar with managing large available data sets, from local to regional scales (e.g., tomographic models, earthquake datasets, GNSS, surface heat flow, gravity data, etc.). This PhD project will combine geophysical-petrological and short-term geodynamic numerical modelling, allowing lo learn conceptual approaches as lithosphere rheology, thermal regime, isostatic and dynamic topography, and subduction processes. The goal is to characterize the Adria margins from the mantle to the surface, including: the coupling of the present-day subducting plates, the effect of fluids and changes in mineral phases in the slab dynamics, and the consequences of the slab geometries on the topography and margin evolution. It will be interpreted in the light of high impact processes for society, such as observed seismicity and volcanism.

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