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Plunge (Credit: Ian Watkinson, distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

GD Geodynamics Division on Geodynamics

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European Geosciences Union

Division on Geodynamics
gd.egu.eu

Division on Geodynamics

President: Laetitia Le Pourhiet (Emailgd@egu.eu)
Deputy President: Jeroen van Hunen (Email)
ECS Representative: Garima Shukla (Emailecs-gd@egu.eu)

Studies related to the Geodynamics Division include all aspects of geodynamic processes in the lithosphere, mantle, and core. They encompass different approaches, including observations, imaging, theory, modelling (numerical simulations and laboratory experiments), and interpretation. Examples include the dynamics of subduction, mid-ocean-ridge processes, vertical and horizontal plate movements driving mountain building and basin formation, lithosphere dynamics, mantle convection, and core dynamics.

Latest posts from the GD blog

At the Mountains of Madness: Lovecraft Applied for Geology (and Failed)

“I am forced into speech because men of science have refused to follow my advice without knowing why. It is altogether against my will that I tell my reasons for opposing this contemplated invasion of the antarctic—with its vast fossil-hunt and its wholesale boring and melting of the ancient ice-cap —and I am the more reluctant because my warning may be in vain.” The opening lines from At the Mountains of Madness sound less like the beginning of a horror …


The sassy scientist: we regret to inform you

With the winds of change brought by a new season, I’m back to help my readers to get out from dispair. This time a reader ask: Dear Sassy scientist, How do I deal with rejection during a job hunt? Dear Sarah, I hear you writing from the edge of despair. Let’s be honest: you’ve chosen the scenic route to career purgatory. Nevermind watching your lifelong friends enjoying their permanent contracts, job stability and newly bought houses (kudos to them, I …


Interview ECS GD Awardee 2026 – Sia Ghelichkhan

The Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Awards highlight exceptional scientific contributions made by an Early Career Scientist in the fields of Earth Sciences associated with each division. This year, the prestigious recognition for the Geodynamics Division has been awarded to Dr. Sia Gelichkhan, from the Australian National University. Today we have the pleasure of interviewing him on his research, achievements, and perspectives on the challenges and innovations shaping the future of Geodynamics. “Recognition like this is not just about the …


Subduction interfaces are complicated – and that’s their beauty!

The dynamics of subduction zones are strongly influenced by the subduction interface. Understanding its rheology enables geodynamic modellers to better simulate these systems and unravel the fundamental processes that govern them. In today’s blog post, we explore subduction interface rheology and discuss effective approaches for modelling it. What is a subduction interface? I first met a subduction interface in person in August of 2015, during my first year as a PhD student at GFZ Potsdam, under the supervision of Prof. …

Recent awardees

Saskia Goes

Saskia Goes

  • 2026
  • Augustus Love Medal

The 2026 Augustus Love Medal is awarded to Saskia Goes for outstanding contributions to our understanding of Earth structure and evolution, using integrative research at the confluence of geodynamics, seismology, mineral physics, and geochemistry.


Siavash Ghelichkhan

Siavash Ghelichkhan

  • 2026
  • Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award

The 2026 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Siavash Ghelichkhan for pioneering the use of adjoint methods in geodynamics and developing open-source tools that integrate geodynamic models with observational data to improve understanding of Earth’s interior.


Neil M. Ribe

Neil M. Ribe

  • 2025
  • Augustus Love Medal

The 2025 Augustus Love Medal is awarded to Neil M. Ribe for outstanding and fundamental contributions to a wide range of geodynamical problems using rigorous mathematical approaches.


Iris van Zelst

Iris van Zelst

  • 2025
  • Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award

The 2025 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Iris van Zelst for a profound impact on the geodynamics community through outstanding scientific contributions, inspiring leadership, enthusiastic outreach, and fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment.


Berta Vilacís

Berta Vilacís

  • 2025
  • Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award

The 2025 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Berta Vilacís Tracking dynamic topography through hiatus surfaces


Charlotte Gaugne Gouranton

Charlotte Gaugne Gouranton

  • 2025
  • Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award

The 2025 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Charlotte Gaugne Gouranton GRACE observations of rapid mass variations at the core-mantle boundary during deep mantle phase transitions in interaction with core flow

Current issue of the EGU newsletter

 In our March issue, we are preparing for the annual General Assembly on the EGU blogs and with a special webinar to help all EGU26 attendees refresh their knowledge of the meeting we are all systems go here in EGU HQ! Also learn about what it's like to spend 25 years working with Interactive Open Access publishing, don't miss out on science for policy events at EGU26, and the EGU awards and medals are now open for nominations - the process is probably easier than you think!

All this and much more, in this month's Loupe!