Abstract. Firedrake is an automated system for solving partial differential equations using the finite-element method. By applying sophisticated performance optimisations through automatic code-generation techniques, it provides a means of creating accurate, efficient, flexible, easily extensible, scalable, transparent and reproducible research software that ideally suited to simulating wide ra...

The long-term co-evolution of the geosphere–biospere complex from the Proterozoic up to 1.5 billion years into the planet’s future is investigated using a conceptual earth system model including the basic geodynamic processes. The model focusses on the global carbon cycle as mediated by life and driven by increasing solar luminosity and plate tectonics. The main 2 sink, the weathering of silica...

Possible geodynamic regimes that may have prevailed in the Archean are investigated by back-tracking the thermal history of Earth from the present-day conditions. If the temporal evolution of plate-tectonic convection is modulated by strong depleted lithosphere created at mid-ocean ridges, more sluggish plate tectonics is predicted when the mantle was hotter, contrary to commonly believed, more...

Aim Biodiversity on islands is influenced by geophysical processes and sea-level fluctuations. Oceanic (never connected to a landmass) are initially vacant with diversity accumulating via colonisation speciation, then declining as shrink. Continental have species upon disconnection from the mainland may transient land-bridge connections. Theoretical predictions for effects of these rates coloni...

Since 2008 the main geodetic activities at the national level in Poland concentrated on maintenance of the national gravity control, gravity survey for geodynamic research, continuing operational work of permanent IGS/EPN permanent GNSS stations, conducting GPS data processing on the regular basis at the WUT and MUT Local Analysis Centres, activity within the EUREF-IP Project, works towards mon...

Seismologists have known for many years that the lowermost mantle of the Earth is complex. Models based on observed seismic phases sampling this region include relatively sharp horizontal discontinuities with strong zones of anisotropy, nearly vertical contrasts in structure, and small pockets of ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs). This diversity of structures is beginning to be understood in term...

We provide estimates of volcanism versus time for planets with Earth-like composition and masses 0.25 25 M⊕, as a step toward predicting atmospheric mass on extrasolar rocky planets. Volcanism requires melting of the silicate mantle. We use a thermal evolution model, calibrated against Earth, in combination with standard melting models, to explore the dependence of convection-driven decompressi...