Course overview

Course overview#

Let’s get to know one another#

Who am I?#

Dave Whipp, Professor

  • Geodynamics of convergent orogens

  • Geomorphology

  • High-performance computing

Who are you?#

  • Name

  • Study program / home university

  • Degree pursued (MSc, Ph.D., etc.)

  • Thesis topic

Practical matters#

Daily schedule#

  • 9:15-10:30: Morning session 1

  • 10:30-10:45: Coffee break

  • 10:45-12:00: Morning session 2

  • 12:00-13:00: Lunch

  • 13:00-14:15: Afternoon session 1

  • 14:15-14:30: Coffee break

  • 14:30-15:45: Afternoon session 2

Computer stuff and course website#

Software#

  • All software used in this course is freely available

  • A list of software available for download is provided on the course website (next slide)

Course website#

All course materials will be posted to the course website: https://introgm.github.io

  • This page will provide links to lecture materials, scripts used for the course, and other materials

  • We will be updating the page as we go.

The materials are freely available for use by anyone, subject to the license, so feel free to share with your friends/colleagues!

Course goals and learning objectives#

Course goals#

  • Understand the fundamental physical equations solved in numerical geodynamic models, how they work, and how they affect numerical experiments

  • Learn how to convert the main equations used to model lithospheric deformation into simple programs

  • Develop a background understanding of geodynamics that allows you to properly understand the behavior of geodynamic numerical models

Learning objectives#

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Solve partial differential equations using the finite-difference method

  • Differentiate between and implement various boundary and initial conditions in numerical models

  • Create their own 1D geodynamic models and know how to use modern numerical geodynamic modelling software to simulate common physical processes in the Earth (heat transfer, rock deformation, etc.)

Working methods#

The course involves a combination of lectures and computer-based exercises

  • We will try to keep lectures to a minimum, but we do need to present some material you will need to complete the computer exercises

  • For the computer exercises, you can work together with a partner and we will discuss your solutions after you have completed them

Schedule#

Subject to change - Last updated 14.5.2026

Day 1#

Morning#

  • Course overview and introductions

  • Key physical processes/concepts

  • Solving equations

  • Computer setup/introduction (optional)

Afternoon#

  • Python/computing essentials and exercises

  • Exercise review and Q&A

Day 2#

Morning#

  • The finite-difference method, part I

  • Heat conduction and advection in 1D

Afternoon#

  • Finite-difference method exercises

  • Exercise review and Q&A

Day 3#

Morning#

  • Testing your code and benchmarking

  • Solving the momentum and continuity equations

Afternoon#

  • Momentum and continuity equations exercises

  • Exercise review and Q&A

Day 4#

Morning#

  • Cluster computing

  • Introduction to ASPECT

  • Running an ASPECT model

Afternoon#

  • ASPECT exercise, putting it all together

  • Exercise review, Q&A, data visualization with ParaView

Day 5#

Morning#

  • Modifying / re-running ASPECT experiments

  • Project course description, ASPECT Q&A

Afternoon#

  • Free time for experimentation with ASPECT

Any questions?#