Since LTT modeling challenges are very distinctive from mantle convection modeling needs, an LTT focused community workshop will be organized in 2013. Aim of this workshop is to invite several code developers to present their codes, discuss scientific and numerical challenges, and modeling needs of the community. Both users and code developers will be invited to attend the workshop.
In Fall 2013 several groups will be invited to make available their codes online through CIG. These codes can be explored and used by the community. Feedback from the community will guide further code development with the aim to converge toward a community initiated code or set of codes.
The LTT working group will submit a topical session proposal on LTT modeling to AGU.
A stable, final version of Gale was published online. The LTT working group is working on a publication that describes a study where Gale is used for a set of numerical experiments increasing in complexity. The models are thermally-mechanically coupled, using non-linear rheology, and include extension as well as compression experiments. This manuscript can be used for educational purposes, as outlined above. Initial models were presented as a poster at AGU. Each of the LTT co-chairs visited CalTech to work with Walter Landry on Gale and the setup of these models.
A combined LTT/mantle convection workshop was held in Summer 2012. Presentations from the LTT community addressed scientific long-term tectonics problems and a discussion on Gale and alternatives. There was consensus that LTT needs to move forward with finding an open source code that can be used for a range of scientific problems.
A committee was formed to study possible formats of CIG-supported LTT codes and code-developments. Scientific (Buck and Roy) and numerical white papers (Lavier, Choi, Tan and Calo, and Brown, Knepley and May) summarizing the scientific and numerical needs and current status were presented to CIG.