Ongoing Research Projects

The MAGPIE Project (2019-2023) Magnetotelluric Analysis for Greenland and Postglacial Isostatic Evolution Funded by the Research Council of Norway. Objectives: Perform the first ever magnetotelluric (MT) survey of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Constrain lateral viscosity variations in the mantle beneath Greenland using MT data. Develop 3D numerical models of postglacial rebound in Greenland that include lateral variations in mantle viscosity. Remove deformation caused by postglacial rebound from geodetic observations to constrain patterns and amplitudes of modern-day ice mass loss in Greenland. More Information: Project Page: [English] [Norsk] The MAGPIE Blog: [Blog] News Articles: [Institutt for geofag] [dagbladet] [Universitas] Related Videos: [Geophysics Research in Greenland] [Today no one got eaten] [Earth's History of Changing Sea Level]

Datasets, Codes, and Models Various research output that we have made available for general use.

Tracer Tectonics CEED PhD student Krister Karlsen developed the Tracer Tectonics code (TracTec) to construct a seafloor age grid directly from a plate tectonic reconstruction. The algorithm is documented in Karlsen et al. [2020]. The python code TracTec is available on zenodo.

Rotational Feedback for SELEN Masters student Robert Hartmann developed an update to SELEN, which is a public code for solving the sea level equation. As documented by Hartmann et al. [2020], this update adds rotational feedback to the SELEN solution for sea level. RFBupdate_for_SELEN is available on GitHub.

Tectonic Plate Reconstructions A few of my collaborators (Trond Torsvik and Bernhard Steinberger) have developed reconstructions of past plate motions as part of our work. These CEED reconstruction models can be obtained from PLATE MODELS @ CEED website, and in particular: Mesozoic Plate Polygon Model (Pacific-based) from Torsvik et al. [2019]. Mesozoic-Cenozoic Polygon Model from Conrad, Steinberger, & Torsvik [2013].

Sea Level Response to Surface Loads Surface loads deflect the Earth's solid and sea surfaces, causing lateral variations in rates of sea level change. We have computed the sea level response to: Reservoir impoundment behind dams [Fiedler and Conrad, 2010] groundwater depletion [Veit and Conrad, 2016]

Baslatic Volcanism Locations We have compiled a database of the locations of baslatic volcanism in continental environments. This work is documented in Conrad et al. [2011] and includes the locations of: Intraplate basaltic volcanism (occurring away from plate boundaries) Other baslatic volcanism (occurring close to plate boundaries)

Mantle Flow Model and calcpi Code We have developed a model of the flow field within the Earth's present-day mantle [Conrad and Behn, 2010]. The model is constrained by observations of seismic anisotropy. To predict anisotropy from the flow model, we developed the "calcpi" code [Conrad et al., 2007] that computes the Infinite Strain Axis (ISA) associated with the mantle flow field. Mantle flow model and anisotropy code

Dynamic Topography Model We have developed a model for present-day dynamic topography at the Earth's surface, as supported by mantle flow [Conrad and Husson, 2009]. Model for dynamic topography

Subduction Parameters We have compiled a database of parameters describing subduction zone transects around the world. These parameters are sufficient to compute forces associated with slab pull and plate bending [Wu, Conrad et al., 2008]. Subduction zone transect data

Fossil Seafloor Spreading Rates By computing gradients of seafloor ages, we have compiles a model of fossil spreading rates for the global seafloor [Conrad and Lithgow-Bertelloni, 2007]. Fossil Seafloor Spreading Rates

Lithosphere Thickness Model We have estimated lateral variations lithospheric thickness [Conrad and Lithgow-Bertelloni, 2006]. Lithosphere thickness variations