[aspect-devel] Progress in writing the mantle convection code Aspect

[Magali Billen]

Hi Katrina,

I agree with Wolfgang that using active fields is a better choice for this (sorry - one of the
many things we need to be talking about as you get more into ASPECT). I talked with
Wolfgang about this at some meeting (?) a couple years ago.  Using active fields will
be much less costly computationally than using tracer particles.  In CitcomS, we can't
using active fields because the advection scheme that is there for temperature (which
one might copy for active fields) leads to over/undershoots at the field boundaries 
when you have a non-diffusive field.  The scheme in ASPECT is quite different and my
understanding is that it doesn't have this problem.

Magali

On Oct 15, 2013, at 11:13 AM, Wolfgang Bangerth wrote:

> 
> Hi Katrina,
> 
>>   I'm hoping to have active particles (or fields?) that define layers
>> within a plate, with assigned densities that affect the model. In
>> CitcomS, I model bouyant basaltic crust, harzburgite and dense eclogite
>> layers that move with the subducting plate and affect its total bouyancy
>> over periods of >30 Ma. I hope that helps.
> 
> Interesting.
> 
> This is already possible using active fields. Take a look at the cookbook section in the model -- it has an example of an active field that is used to model the density as a function of composition.
> 
> Best
> W.
> 
> 
> -- 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Wolfgang Bangerth               email:            bangerth at math.tamu.edu
>                                www: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~bangerth/
> 
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