BORIS J.P. KAUS - Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

BORIS J.P. KAUS
Geophysics · Institute of Geosciences & Center for Computational Sciences
· Johannes-Gutenberg Universität Mainz ·
office 00-285 · J.J.-Becherweg 21 · 55128 Mainz · Germany
Phone: +49.6131.392.4527 · Fax: +49.6131.392.3070· E-Mail: kaus@uni-mainz.de
Personal Data
Date of Birth: December 4, 1976
Heerlen, Netherlands.
Citizenship: Netherlands.
Professional Experience
9/2011- Institute of Geosciences & Center for Computational Sciences,
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Professor of Geophysics (W2)
2007 - University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Research Assistant Adjunct Professor of Earth Sciences
12/2010 - 8/2011 ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Assistant Professor of Computational Geodynamics
1/2007 - 11/2010 ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Oberassistent/Senior Research Scientist
2005-2006 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Postdoctoral Research Associate
2001-2004 ETH Zürich
Research and Teaching Assistant (Funded by the Swiss National Fonds).
1/2004, 9/2003 Physics of Geological Processes. Oslo, Norway
Visiting Researcher
10/2000–12/2000 Minnesota Supercomputer Institute
Visiting Researcher
1998-2000 ETH Zürich
Teaching Assistant
1995-1997 RWTH Aachen
Teaching Assistant
Education
2001-2004 ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
Ph.D. (summa cum laude) in Natural Sciences
Project title: Modelling approaches to geodynamic processes.
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Y. Podladchikov, Prof. Dr. J-P. Burg.

1997-2000 ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
Diplom (M.Sc.) in Natural Sciences
Thesis: Forward and reverse modelling of the three-dimensional Rayleigh-
Taylor instability.
Advisor: Prof. Dr. Y. Podladchikov.
1995-1997 RWTH Aachen, Germany.
B.Sc. (Vordiplom) in Geology, July 1997.
1990-1995 Highschool (VWO) in Gulpen, The Netherlands.
Publications
∗ student author + postdoc author
Submitted:
- KELLER T. ∗ , MAY D.A., KAUS B.J.P., (2012, submitted) Numerical modelling of magma
dynamics coupled to tectonic deformation of lithosphere and crust. Geophysical Journal
International
- LECHMANN S.M. ∗ , SCHMALHOLZ S.M., HETENYI G., MAY D.A., KAUS B.J.P.,
(2012, submitted) Towards constraining the dynamics of the India-Asia collision with 3D
numerical models. Journal of Geophysical Research
- LECHMANN S.M. ∗ , SCHMALHOLZ S.M., KAUS B.J.P., (2012, submitted) Gravitational
potential energy induced stresses and deformations: Implications for crustal-scale processes.
Tectonophysics.
In press:
Peer-reviewed:
- THIELMANN M. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., (2012) Shear heating induced lithospheric-scale localization:
does it result in subduction? Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Vol. 359-360, p.
1-13, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2012.10.002
- DURETZ T. ∗ , GERYA T.V., KAUS B.J.P., ANDERSEN T. (2012) Thermomechanical
modeling of slab eduction. Journal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth. Vol. 117, B08411,
doi:10.1029/2012JB009137.
- RUH J. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., BURG J.-P. (2012). Numerical investigation of deformation mechanics
in fold-and-thrust belts: Influence of rheology of single and multiple decollements.
Tectonics. Vol 13 (4), Q04001, doi:10.1029/2011GC003934.
- GERAULT M. ∗ , BECKER T.W., KAUS B.J.P., FACCENNA C., MORESI L.N., HUSSON
L. (2012) The role of slabs and oceanic plate geometry for the net rotation of the lithosphere,
trench motions, and slab return flow. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. Vol 13 (4),
Q04001, doi:10.1029/2011GC003934.
- CRAMERI F. ∗ , SCHMELING H., GOLABEK G.J., DURETZ T., ORENDT R., BUITER S.,
MAY D.A., KAUS B.J.P., GERYA T.V., TACKLEY P.J. (2012). A benchmark comparison
of numerical surface topography calculations in geodynamic modelling. Geophysical Journal
International. Vol. 181(1), p.38-54.
- CRAMERI F. ∗ , TACKLEY P.J., MEILICK I., GERYA T.V., KAUS B.J.P. (2012): A free
plate surface and weak oceanic crust produce single-sided subduction on Earth. Geophysical
Research Letters. Vol. 39(3), doi 10.1029/2011GL050046.
2

- LECHMANN S.M. ∗ , MAY D.A. + , KAUS B.J.P., SCHMALHOLZ S.M., (2011): Comparing
thin-sheet models with 3D multilayer models for continental collision. Geophysical
Journal International. 187, 10-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05164.x
- YAMATO P. + , KAUS B.J.P., MOUTHEREAU F., CASTELLTORT S. (2011): Dynamic
constraints on crustal-scale rheology from the Zagros Fold Belt, Iran. Geology. Vol. 39 (9),
p. 815-818, doi:10.1130/G32136.1
- LU G. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., ZHAO L. (2011): Thermal localization as a potential mechanism
to rift cratons. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. Vol. 186, p. 125-137.
- DEUBELBEISS Y. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., CONNOLLY J.A.D., CARICCHI L. (2011): Potential
causes for the non-Newtonian rheology of crystal-bearing melts. Geochemistry Geophysics
Geosystems. Vol. 12, Q05007, 22p. doi:10.1029/2010GC003485.
- DURETZ T.M. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., SCHULMANN K., GAPAIS D., KERMARREC J.-J.
(2011): Indentation as an extrusion mechanism of lower crustal rocks in the Eastern Bohemian
Massif: Insight from analogue and numerical modelling. Lithos. Vol. 124 (1-2), 158-168.
- CASTELLTORT S., NAGEL S., MOUTHEREAU F., LIN A.T.-S., WETZEL A., KAUS
B.J.P., WILLETT S., CHIANG S.-P., CHIU W.-Y. (2011): Sedimentology of Early Pliocene
Sandstones in the south-western Taiwan foreland: implications for basin physiography in the
early stages of collision. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. Vol. 40, p. 52-71.
- KAUS B.J.P., MÜHLHAUS H., MAY D.A. + (2010): A stabilization algorithm for geodynamic
numerical simulations with a free surface. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.
Vol. 181. p. 12-20.
- CRAMERI F. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P. (2010): Parameters that control lithospheric-scale thermal
localization. Geophysical Research Letters.Vol. 37, L09308, doi:10.1029/2010GL042921
- KAUS B.J.P. (2010): Factors that control the angle of shear bands in geodynamic numerical
models of brittle deformation. Tectonophysics. Vol. 484 (1-4). p 36-47.
- DEUBELBEISS Y. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P., CONNOLLY J.A.D. (2010): Direct numerical simulation
of two-phase flow: Pattern formation and effective rheology of particle suspensions.
Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Vol. 290 (1-2). p. 1-12.
- GOLABEK G. ∗ , GERYA T.V., KAUS B.J.P., ZIETHE R., TACKLEY P.J. (2009): Rheological
controls on the terrestrial core formation mechanism. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.
Vol 10, Q11007, doi:10.1029/2009GC002552
- SCHMALHOLZ S.M., KAUS B.J.P., BURG J.-P. (2009): Stress-strength relationships in
the lithosphere during continental collision. Geology. Vol 37 (9). p. 775-778.
- KAUS B.J.P., LIU Y., BECKER T.W., YUEN D.A., SHI Y. (2009): Lithospheric stressstates
predicted from long-term tectonic models: influence of rheology and possible application
to Taiwan. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. Vol. 36 (1), p.119-134.
- KAUS B.J.P., GERYA T.V., SCHMID D.W. (2008): Recent advances in Computational
Geodynamics: Theory, Numerics and Applications. Physics of the Earth and Planetary
Interiors. Vol. 171(1-4), p. 2-6. (Top downloaded PEPI paper in the beginning of 2009).
- KAUS B.J.P., STEEDMAN C. ∗ , BECKER T.W. (2008): From passive continental margin
to mountain belt: insights from analytical and numerical models and application to Taiwan.
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. Vol. 171(1-4), p. 235-251.
- SCHMELING H., BABEYKO A., ENNS A., FACCENNA C., FUNICIELLO F., GERYA
T., GOLABEK G., GRIGULL S., KAUS B.J.P., MORRA G., SCHMALHOLZ S., VAN
HUNEN J. (2008). A benchmark comparison of spontaneous subduction models: towards a
free surface. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. Vol. 171(1-4), p. 198-223.
3

- DEUBELBEISS Y. ∗ , KAUS B.J.P. (2008): A comparison of finite difference formulations
for the Stokes equations in the presence of strongly varying viscosity. Physics of the Earth
and Planetary Interiors. Vol. 171(1-4), p. 92-111.
- PLATT J.P., KAUS B.J.P., BECKER T.W. (2008): The San Andreas transform system
and the tectonics of California: An alternative approach. Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Vol. 274. p380-391.
- KAUS B.J.P., BECKER T.W., (2007): Effects of elasticity on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability:
implications for large-scale geodynamics. Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 168,
p. 843-867. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.03201.x.
- KAUS B.J.P., SCHMALHOLZ S.M., (2006): 3D Finite amplitude folding: implications for
stress evolution during crustal and lithospheric deformation. Geophysical Research Letters.
Vol. 33, L14309, doi:10.1029/2006GL026341.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y., (2006): Initiation of localized shear zones in viscoelastoplastic
rocks. Journal of Geophysical Research. Vol. 111, doi:10.1029/2005JB003652.
- BUITER S.H.H., BABEYKO A.Y., ELLIS S., GERYA T.V., KAUS B.J.P., KELLNER A.,
SCHREURS G. and Y. YAMADA. (2006): The numerical sandbox: Comparison of model
results for a shortening and an extension experiment. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.. 253. ’Analogue
and numerical modelling of crustal-scale processes’. p29-64.
- KAUS B.J.P., CONNOLLY J.A.D., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y., SCHMALHOLZ, S.M. (2005):
Influence of mineral phase transitions on basin subsidence and uplift. Earth and Planetary
Science Letters. Vol. 233. p.213-228.
- MILLER, S.A., COLLETTINNI C., CHIARALUCE L., COCCO M., BARCHI M., KAUS
B.J.P. (2004): Aftershocks driven by a high pressure CO2 source at depth. Nature. Vol.
427. p724-727.
- BURG J-P., KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y. (2004): Dome structures in collision
orogens. Mechanical investigation of the gravity/compression interplay. in Whitney, D.L.,
Teyssier, C., and Siddoway, C.S., Gneiss domes in orogeny: Geological Society of America
Special Paper 380, p.47-66.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y. (2001): Forward and reverse modeling of the threedimensional
viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Geophysical Research Letters. Vol. 28. No.
6. p1095-1098.
Extended abstacts:
- KAUS B.J.P., YAMATO P., MOUTHEREAU F., CASTELLTORT S., LECHMANN S.M.
(2011): Using observed fold spacing and models to constrain the dynamics and rheology of
the Zagros Mountains. 73 rd EAGE Conference, Vienna.
- KAUS B.J.P., BECKER T.W. (2008): A numerical study on the effects of surface boundary
conditions and rheology on slab dynamics. Extended abstracts of the GeoMod2008 conference,
Bolletino di Geofisica. Vol 49 (2 Supplement), p177-182.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y., SCHMID D.W. (2004): Eulerian spectral/finite
difference method for large deformation modelling of visco-elasto-plastic geomaterials. Extended
abstracts of the GeoMod2004 conference. Bolletino di Geofisica. Vol. 45. p346-349.
Others:
- BECKER T.W., KAUS B.J.P. (2010): Numerical Geodynamics. An introduction to computational
methods with focus on solid Earth applications of continuum mechanics. Lecture
notes. University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 155 pages.
4

- KAUS B.J.P. (2004): Modelling approaches to geodynamic processes. PhD. Thesis. ETH
Zürich.
- KAUS B.J.P. (2000): Forward and reverse modeling of the three-dimensional viscous
Rayleigh-Taylor instability. M.Sc. Thesis. ETH Zürich.
Edited volumes:
- KAUS B.J.P., GERYA T.V., SCHMID D.W. (editors): Recent advances in Computational
Geodynamics: Theory, Numerics and Applications. Special Issue in Physics of the Earth and
Planetary Interiors. (Vol 171 (1-4), December 2008).
In preparation:
- KAUS B.J.P., BECKER, T.W.: Subduction dynamics in the presence of a free surface.
- KAUS B.J.P., SCHMALHOLZ S.M., LEBEDEV S.: Consequences of India-Asia collision
on stress and strength of the continental lithosphere.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y. : Diapiric pattern formation. In prep. for Tectonophysics.
Selected abstracts and invited presentations:
- KAUS B.J.P. (August 2011): Numerical techniques of thermo-mechanical fluid-flow modelling.
European Geodynamics Meeting 2011, Potsdam, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (April 2011): Insights into the physics of geological processes. Arne Richter
Award Lecture. EGU 2011, Vienna, Austria.
- KAUS B.J.P. (March 2011): Using observed fold spacing to constrain the dynamics and
rheology of the crust in the Zagros Mountains. University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
- KAUS B.J.P. (September 2010): Recent advances in computational geodynamics. GeoMod
conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
- KAUS B.J.P. (March 2010): Dynamical aspects of lithospheric deformation. Géosciences
Rennes, Rennes University, France.
- KAUS B.J.P. (October 2009): Modelling strain localization; which processes result in
efficient localization? Crystal2Plate kickoff meeting, Montpellier, France.
- KAUS B.J.P. (August 2009): Shear localization and strength of the continental lithosphere,
Geodynamics workshop, Suzdal, Russia.
- KAUS B.J.P. (July 2009): Modelling-based insights in geodynamic processes. Johannes
Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (March 2009): Stress and strength of the continental lithosphere. Ruhr-
Universitaet Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (November 2008): Rheology and deformation of continental lithosphere (Invited).
DIAS workshop on continental deformation. Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
Dublin, Ireland.
- KAUS B.J.P. (October 2008): On stress and strength of deforming continental lithosphere
(Invited). Bonn University.
- KAUS B.J.P. (October 2008): Insights in the dynamics of lithospheric deformation from
long-term and quasi-instantaneous numerical models with application to Taiwan. (Invited).
University of Frankfurt.
5

- KAUS B.J.P. (September 2008): Insights on the strength of the continental lithosphere from
quasi-instantaneous lithospheric models. Swiss-German Geodynamics Workshop, Neustadt,
Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (September 2008): Numerical modelling of brittle phenomena (Invited). GeoMod
2008, Florence, Italy.
- KAUS B.J.P. (July 2008): Lagrangian Finite Element Methods for modelling long-term
tectonic processes. (Invited). CIG Workshop on Advancing Numerical Modeling of Mantle
Convection and Lithospheric Dynamics, UC Davis, Davis, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P. (July 2008): Subduction Benchmarks (or: how a simple test can cause a
major headache). (Invited). CIG Workshop on Advancing Numerical Modeling of Mantle
Convection and Lithospheric Dynamics, UC Davis, Davis, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P. (April 2008): Stress and strength of the continental lithosphere: constraints
from geodynamic models. (Invited). EGU, Vienna, Austria.
- KAUS B.J.P. (January 2008): Dynamics of the lithosphere from numerical models of longterm
tectonic processes. (Invited). Karlsruhe University, Karlsruhe, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (December 2007): Stress evolution and dynamics of the lithosphere from
2-D and 3-D numerical models of long-term tectonic processes. (Invited). Fall AGU, San
Fransisco, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P., LIU Y., YUEN D.A., SHI Y. (December 2007): Tsunami hazards near Taiwan
and implications for rheological stratification under Taiwan. South China Sea Tsunami
Workshop, Taiwan.
- KAUS B.J.P. (November 2007): Insights in the physics of folding: from nano-meter scale
to lithospheric scale. (Invited). Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
- KAUS B.J.P. (September 2007): Numerical Modelling of 3-D Mantle-Lithosphere interaction.
10th Workshop on Numerical Modelling of Mantle Convection and Lithosphere Dynamics,
Carry-Le-Rouet, France.
- KAUS B.J.P. (June 2007): Numerical Models of 3-D Subduction. Subduction Workshop,
Montpellier, France.
- LIU Y.-C., KAUS B.J.P., SEVRE E., SHI Y.-L., YUEN D.A. (Mai 2007): Pingtung Earthquakes
and Potential Tsunami Hazards for Taiwan. JGU Meeting.
- KAUS B.J.P.,STEEDMAN C., BECKER T.W. (April 2007): How to build mountain belts
at passive continental margins? Insights from numerical and analytical modelling. EGU
Spring Meeting, Vienna, Austria.
- DEUBELBEISS Y., KAUS B.J.P. (April 2007): A comparison of numerical formulations
for the Stokes equations with strongly variable viscosity. EGU Spring Meeting, Vienna,
Austria.
- KAUS B.J.P., (January 2007): Why numerical modelling is a useful tool for geoscientists,
Jena University, Jena, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P., SCHMALHOLZ S., (December 2006): 3D Finite Amplitude Folding: Implications
for the Stress Evolution During Crustal and Lithospheric Deformation. AGU Fall
Meeting.
- PLATT J., KAUS B.J.P., BECKER T.W., (December 2006): The San Andreas Transform
System and the Tectonics of California: An Alternative Approach. AGU Fall Meeting.
- STEEDMAN C., KAUS B.J.P., BECKER T.W., OKAYA D., WU F.T., (December 2006):
The Geodynamics of Continental Lithosphere Entering a Subduction Zone. AGU Fall Meeting.
6

- KAUS B.J.P., (July 2006): Modeling approaches to geodynamic processes Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P., (June 2006): Modeling approaches to geodynamic processes Durham University,
Durham, UK.
- KAUS B.J.P., (March 2006): Feedbacks between deformation, temperature, reactions and
fluids. Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- KAUS B.J.P., (March 2006): Modeling-based insight in long-term tectonic processes Caltech
Seismo Seminar, Los Angeles, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P., (March 2006): Modeling approaches to geodynamic processes University of
Maryland, College Park, USA.
- KAUS B.J.P., BECKER, T.W. (September 2005): Effects of elasticity on the Rayleigh-
Taylor instability: implications for large-scale geodynamics. 9th International workshop on
Numerical Modeling of Mantle Convection and Lithosphere Dynamics, Erice, Italy.
- BUITER, S., KAUS B.J.P., MANCKTELOW, N.S. (September 2005): Discussion on designing
a plasticity benchmark experiment. 9th International workshop on Numerical Modeling
of Mantle Convection and Lithosphere Dynamics, Erice, Italy.
- KAUS B.J.P., (June 2005): A parameterized rheology for creating lithospheric-scale shearzones.
CIG Mantle convection workshop, Boulder, Colorado.
- KAUS B.J.P. (April 2005): Initiation of localized shear in visco-elasto-plastic rocks EGU,
Vienna, Austria.
- KAUS B.J.P. (April 2005): 3D numerical modeling of folding: application to fold-andthrust
belts. ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- KAUS B.J.P. (February 2005): Numerical modelling: planetary phenomena. UCLA, Los
Angeles, United States.
- KAUS B.J.P. (October 2004): Modelling approaches to geodynamic processes. University
of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P. (August 2004): Modelling the mechanics of geodynamic processes. University
of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
- KAUS B.J.P., SCHMALHOLZ S.M. (2004): Does the absence of earthquakes tell us something
about the rheology of the mantle lithosphere? 10th Conference of Tektonik, Strukturgeologie
and Kristallingeologie, Aachen, Germany.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y., SCHMID D.W. (2003): Eulerian spectral/finite
difference method for large deformation modelling of visco-elasto-plastic geomaterials. 8th
European Workshop on Numerical Modeling of Mantle Convection and Lithospheric Dynamics,
Castle of Hruba Skala, Czech Republic.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y., CONNOLLY, J.A.D.(2002): Coupled petrologicaltectonic
modeling of extensional basins. EGS.
- KAUS B.J.P., PODLADCHIKOV Y.Y. (November 2000): Forward and reverse modeling
of the three-dimensional viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Eos Trans. AGU. 81 (48), Fall
Meet. Suppl., 2000.
7

Awards
- 2012 Paul Niggli Medal. Paul Niggli Foundation. (Switzerland’s most prestigious ”young
scientist award” in the Earth Sciences).
- Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Young Scientists. 2011. European Geosciences Union.
(Highest award for young Earth Scientists by the EGU).
- European Research Council Starting Grant. 2010.
- Editors’ citation for ”Excellence in Refereeing” for G-Cubed. April 2007.
- ”Exceptional reviewer” award by GSA Today. December 2006.
- ETH Medal for best PhD thesis (awarded to

- Numerical modelling of lithospheric deformation on geological timescales. CSCS (Swiss supercomputing
center) production proposal PI. 1 year (2010), 1.5 million CPU hours.
- TopoMod: Sculpting the Earth’s topography: insights from modellin deep-surface processes.
Marie Curie Initial Training network European Science Foundation. Co-PI and co-supervisor
of 1 PhD student based at ETH Zurich (main European PI: Claudio Faccenna, Rome. main
PI Zurich: Jean-Pierre Burg). 3 yrs (2011-2014),
- MODEL: Mechanics Of Deformation of the Earth’s Lithosphere. European Science Foundation
Starting Grant. PI. 5 yrs (2010-2015), EUR 1’420’920,-
- EAR-1019636 Collaborative Research: Crustal Overturn in Continental Margin Arcs During
Magmatic Surges. National Science Foundation. Co-PI (main PI: Scott Paterson) (2011-).
- Three-dimensional numerical simulations of deformation and erosion during continental collision
and indentation: Application to the Himalayan syntaxes. ETH Science Foundation.
Co-PI (main PI: Stefan Schmalholz). 3 yrs (2009-2012), CHF 149’000,-
- Dynamics of Arc-Continent collision and foreland basin evolution in Taiwan: a field and numerical
modelling approach. Swiss National Fonds. Co-PI (main PI: Sébastien Castelltort).
2 yrs (2009-2011), CHF 120’775,- .
- High resolution thermo-mechanical modeling of batholith emplacement, with applications to
Adamello. Swiss National Fonds. Co-PI with Taras Gerya (ETH Zurich) and main supervisor
of 1 PhD student. 3 yrs (2009-2012), CHF 307’150,- 2009-2012
- Crystal2Plate: How does plate tectonics work: From crystal-scale processes to mantle convection
with self-consistent plates European Science Foundation. Co-PI and main supervisor
of 1 PhD student (main European PI: Andrea Tommasi, Montpellier. main PI Zurich: Paul
Tackley). 3 yrs (2009-2012), EUR 645’021,-
As international collaborator:
- The dynamics of mantle-melt extraction systems: a field and theoretical approach. National
Science Foundation. Collaborator. (main PI: Oliver Jagoutz, MIT).
- Dynamics of continental deformation: Insights from seismic structure and anisotropy. Irish
Science Foundation. Collaborator. (main PI: Sergei Lebedev, Dublin Institute of Advanced
Studies).
Supervision
JGU Anton Popov (Postdoc, 2011- ). Computational Geodynamics.
Emmanuelle Boutonnet (Postdoc, 2012- ). Lithosphere Dynamics.
Tobias Baumann (PhD-student, 2011-). Quasi-instantaneous geodynamic inversion
of lithospheric rheology.
Naiara Fernandez (PhD-student, 2011-). 2D/3D modelling of fold and thrust
belts and salt tectonics.
Adina Püsök (PhD-student, 2012-). Dynamics of the India-Asia collision
Ragnar Lehmann (PhD-student, 2012-). New multi grid and discontinuous
Galerkin techniques for geodynamic applications.
Florian Malm (PhD-student, 2008-). New techniques for determination of thermal
conductivities in geothermal fields.
Eric Schaeffer (Diplom-student, 2012). Inverse modelling of combined geological
and magnetotelluric data.
9

ETH Marine Collignon (PhD-student, 2011-). Interactions between erosion and tectonics.
(co-supervisor; main supervisor: Jean-Pierre Burg, ETH and Sebastian
Castelltort, University of Geneva)
Tobias Baumann (PhD-student, 2011). Quasi-instantaneous geodynamic inversion
of lithospheric rheology.
Naiara Fernandez (PhD-student, 2011). 2D/3D modelling of fold and thrust
belts and salt tectonics.
Tobias Keller (PhD-student, 2009-). 3D thermo-mechanical numerical modelling
of batholith emplacement, with application to the Adamello Batholith.
Marcel Thielmann (PhD-student, 2009-). Lithospheric-scale shear localization
and subduction initiation.
Jonas Ruh (PhD-student, 2009-). Modelling of deformation in accretionary
wedges (co-supervisor; main supervisor: Burg).
Sarah Lechmann (PhD-student, 2008-2012). 3D numerical modelling of deformation
at indentor corners (co-supervisor; main supervisor: Schmalholz).
Thibault Duretz (PhD-student, 2008-2011). Numerical modelling of deformation
in the Bohemian Massiv (co-supervisor; main supervisor: Gerya).
Guizhi Zhu (Postdoc, 2008-2011). Physics of 3D plume formation above subducting
slabs. (supervised together with Gerya).
Patricia Eugster (MSc-student, 2011). Basin subsidence in Taiwan.
Dave May (Postdoc, 2011, now Oberassistant ETH Zürich). Robust and fast
3D numerical techniques for geodynamic applications.
Hein van Heck (PhD-student, 2007-2010, now PostDoc at Cardiff University).
Scaling of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets. (member of PhD-thesis committee).
Marina von Tscharner (MSc-student, 2010, now PhD student in Lausanne).
Modelling of subduction with overriding plate.
Gregor Golabek (PhD-student, 2007-2010, now Oberassistent at ETH). Numerical
modelling of core formation processes and Venus coronae (co-supervisor;
main supervisor: Tackley).
Yolanda Deubelbeiss (PhD-student, 2007-2010, now Postdoc in the Swiss Avalanche
Research Institute). Numerical modeling of particle suspensions with application
to crystal-melt systems.
Gang Lu (visiting PhD-student, 2009-2010, now postdoc in Beijing). Numerical
modelling of craton destruction.
Christiane Heinicke(MSc-student, 2009-2010, now PhD-student in Ilmenau,
Germany). Lithospheric stress states and shear localization.
Philippe Yamato (Postdoc, 2008-2009, now Assistant Professor, Rennes University).
2D and 3D numerical models of crustal-scale deformation in fold and
thrust belts.
Marcel Thielmann (MSc-student, 2009, now PhD student). Approaches to compute
geodynamically-consistent cross-sections through active orogens.
Fabio Crameri (MSc-student, 2009, now PhD student at ETH). Numerical modelling
of lithospheric-scale shear localization.
Fabio Crameri (BSc-student, 2007). Numerical models of Io, including melt
migration (with Tackley as main supervisor).
Surrendra Schoch (MSc-student, 2008, now working for UBS). Free Surface effects
on Rayleigh-Benard convection.
USC Wenrong Cao (PhD student, 2009-). Numerical modelling magmatic systems
in the Sierra Nevada (co-supervisor; main supervisor: Paterson).
Melanie Gerault (PhD student, 2009-). Numerical modelling of mantle flow
(co-supervisor; main supervisor: Becker).
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Classes Taught
Clare Steedman (MSc, 2007, now working in geological consulting). 2D numerical
modelling of the geodynamic evolution of Taiwan (with Becker and Okaya).
2005-2006 USC - Los Angeles (as Research Associate)
Geodynamics. (with Becker)
2007- ETH Zürich (as Oberassistent and Assistant Professor) Dynamics of the Mantle
and Lithosphere.
Geophysical Field Experiments.
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Seminar.
Introduction to Finite Element Modelling in Geosciences. (initially with Schmalholz,
later with May)
Computational Geodynamics using finite differences.
2011- JGU Mainz (as Professor of Geophysics)
Geophysikalische Modellierung
Geophysikalisches Kolloquim
Einführung in die Geophysik
Dynamik der Erde II
Geodynamik
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