A key component of Earth’s topography remains enigmatic. This so-called dynamic topography is transient, varying in response to convection within Earth’s mantle. This project aims to use a data-driven computational approach to: (i) reconstruct the evolution of dynamic topography over the recent geological history of our planet (Cenozoic Era, 0-66 million years ago); and (ii) uncover the mechanisms controlling its spatial and temporal evolution. This transformational new understanding will connect the evolution of our planet’s surface environments to its deep interior, revealing the impact of dynamic topography on sea level change, flooding, river networks, groundwater systems, habitat development and the distribution of economic resources.
Investigators include Prof Rhodri Davies (ANU), Dietmar Muller (EarthByte), Prof Malcolm Sambridge (ANU), Prof Saskia Goes (Imperial College) and Prof Nicholas Rawlinson (Cambridge Univ).
Explore our published dynamic topography models interactively on the GPlates Portal
