This session aims to explore broadly aspects of the tectonics of the Earth’s lithosphere and mantle dynamics in the interior—looking at the structure and evolution of these regions and the links between them. As the outermost solid layer of the planet, the lithosphere is a structurally and compositionally complex region that experiences a range of tectonic behaviours from large-scale plate motions to intraplate deformation, to local plate boundary tectonics. The mantle is the thermal engine of the planet, transporting heat from the deep interior to the surface through processes of convection and conduction in high-pressure mineral/rock environments. The dynamics and the nature of these regions are studied with a variety of observational, experimental, and numerical tools, in a host of tectonic settings and on a variety of length and time-scales. In this cross-disciplinary session, we welcome contributions from fields of research that investigate these mantle and lithosphere dynamics, and the tectonic evolution of the planetary surface.

Oral talks:

1:30 - 1:45: Collision Triggered Fast Slab Break-Off and Subsequent Subduction Polarity Reversal
Presenter(s): Erkan Gün, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Toronto, Russell Pysklywec, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto; Phil Heron, Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto; Gültekin Topuz, Eaurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Istanbul Technical University; Nathan Mallia, Department of

1:45 - 2:00: The thermal state of the Cordillera and other subduction zone backarc mantles; the corner flow model
Presenter(s): Roy Hyndman, Emeritus Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada,

2:00 - 2:15: Upper mantle flow patterns and slab geometry: 3D numerical modeling of subduction zone
Presenter(s): Xiaowen Liu, Postdoc, University of Toronto, Russell Pysklywec, University of Toronto

2:15 - 2:30: Evolution of geoid undulations due to subducted slabs in the upper mantle since 140 Ma
Presenter(s): Amar Jyoti Baruah, PhD student, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Prof. Attreyee Ghosh, IISc Bangalore

2:30 - 2:45: Mantle dynamics and the persistence of surface topography and tectonics
Presenter(s): Russell Pysklywec, Professor, University of Toronto, Oguz Gogus, Istanbul Technical University, M. Hosein Shahnas, University of Toronto, Ebru Şengül Uluocak, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University

2:45 - 3:00: “Water’s impact on planetary lithosphere mobility”: Influence of surface temperature, yield stress and activation energy on the mantle dynamics of Earth-size planets.
Presenter(s): Rob McGrory, Sr Staff Geophysicist, Crescent Point Energy Corp, Pejvak Javaheri – Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences – University of Toronto Scarborough, Julian Lowman  - Department of Physical and Environmental Science – University of Toronto Scarborough, Paul Tackley – Institute of Geophysics – Depart