https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_1173The two principal aims of this course are: (1) To develop deep insight and understanding of the process of subduction, including the intimately related processes of mantle flow and overriding plate deformation, and, more generally, to gain qualitative and quantitative understanding as to the role that subduction zones have played and continue to play in the evolution and dynamics of planet Earth. (2) To enhance your quantitative skills in the geosciences by using and deriving a variety of equations and formulas that are important in the fields of geodynamics, tectonics, geophysical fluid dynamics and geology. The mutual dependence and interrelatedness of different aspects of subduction will be demonstrated, including subduction zone geology, subduction zone kinematics, subduction zone geometry, subduction zone dynamics and subduction-induced mantle flow. This provides the student with an integrated view of subduction zone processes, mantle flow and overriding plate deformation, which will furthermore illustrate the role and the importance of subduction zones in driving plate tectonics and mantle flow. The integrated view is further substantiated through both global and local approaches, and both process-oriented and phenomenological approaches. During the course you will be provided with an overview of the different modelling techniques (analogue, numerical, analytical) that are used to improve our understanding of subduction zones in particular, and geodynamic processes in general. During the course, you will develop new skills: (1) To quantify plate velocities and plate boundary velocities on a sphere; (2) To identify and quantify driving and resistive forces in subduction systems; (3) To evaluate and quantify overriding plate deformation rates at subduction zones; (4) To derive equations that are important in geodynamics and fluid dynamics; (5) To apply equations from geodynamics and fluid dynamics to geodynamic problems; (6) To critically assess, judge and discuss the relevant scientific literature, including geodynamic modelling results presented in such papers, and to be able to identify, analyse and evaluate the different model assumptions and model simplifications, and how these assumptions and simplifications might impact the model outcomes.This course will provide you with an overview of the geodynamics and tectonics of subduction zones, which are located at convergent plate boundaries on Earth, and more generally of plate tectonic processes, mantle flow and geodynamic modelling. Key aspects of subduction zones are discussed from a geological, kinematic, geometric and geodynamic viewpoint, as well as in the context of the global set of active subduction zones on Earth and case studies of natural examples. Specific topics of the course are: 1. Subduction zone geology 2. Plate kinematics, subduction zone kinematics 3. Subduction zone geometry 4. Subduction zone dynamics 5. Overriding plate deformation during subduction 6. Geodynamic modelling (analogue, numerical) 7. Geodynamic modelling (Stokes flow) 8. Geodynamic modelling (scaling, boundary conditions) 9. Subduction zone initiation 10. Subduction zone termination (collision, obduction, slab detachment) 11. Unusual subduction (ridge/plateau subduction, flat slab subduction, continental subduction)Lectures (11 x 2 hours) and practicals (11 x 2 hours), one day of oral presentations (8 hours).Practical exercises (63%), written paper review (15%), oral presentation(22%).The course is mostly based on published scientific literature in the fields of Geodynamics, Tectonics, Geophysics and Geology.1st year MSc students in the Geology and Geochemistry specialization or the Sedimentology/Stratigraphy stream of the Earth and Climate specializationBSc Geology/Earth Sciences/GeophysicsGeodynamics, Tectonics, Structural Geology and Geophysics courses at BSc level.