Copy of Lu-2026

[julesghub]

-> submitter ORCID (or name)

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9424-2315

-> slug

CopyLu-2026-ALEIB-Coupling

-> license

CC-BY-4.0

-> alternative license URL

No response

-> model category

model published in study

-> model status

completed

-> associated publication DOI

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5723-2026

-> model creators

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9424-2315

-> title

A novel ALE scheme with the internal boundary for coupling tectonic and surface processes in geodynamic models

-> description

In this paper, we present a novel coupling framework that integrates the geodynamic codes Underworld 2 with the surface process code Badlands within the ALE-IB scheme. First, we outline the modelling approach and detail the principles underlying the coupling between surface processes and tectonic deformation. Second, we compare the performance of the coupled model built within this framework to that of an Eulerian-based approach, examining differences in structural and dynamic behaviour under varying surface process intensities.

-> abstract

Recent advancements in modelling the deformation of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, coupled with surface processes, have significantly deepened our understanding of how the Earth responds to integrated tectonic and erosional forces, which are intricately linked to climate dynamics. This study presents a novel coupling framework within the Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian with Internal Boundary (ALE-IB) scheme, which integrates the geodynamic codes Underworld 2 with the surface process code Badlands. Our innovative approach addresses the limitations of previous Eulerian-based coupling frameworks by maintaining the integrity of internal interfaces and providing precise surface tracking. This ensures accurate representation of material boundaries and enhances the fidelity of simulations involving complex geological processes. We detail the principles underlying the coupling of surface processes with tectonic deformation, leveraging the strengths of the ALE-IB scheme to model free surfaces and moving boundaries effectively. By comparing our model's performance with an Eulerian-based approach, we highlight key differences in structural and dynamic behaviour under varying surface process intensities. This comparison offers valuable insights into the intricate interactions between surface and deep Earth processes. Our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of geomorphological and tectonic evolution, providing a robust framework for future research in geodynamic and climate-related geological studies.

-> scientific keywords

ALE, internal boundary, coupling, surface processes

-> funder

https://ror.org/05mmh0f86, DP240102450

-> model embargo?

No response

-> include model code ?

• yes

-> model code/inputs DOI

https://github.com/NengLu/ALEIB_CouplingModeling

-> model code/inputs notes

Models are set up with Python scripts. Models require underworld2 and badlands to be run.

-> include model output data?

• yes

-> data creators

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9424-2315

-> model output data DOI

No response

-> model output data notes

output is primarily h5 files, ~34.2 GB of data.

-> model output data size

~34.2 GB

-> software framework DOI/URI

https://zenodo.org/records/15128361

-> software framework source repository

https://github.com/underworldcode/underworld2

-> name of primary software framework (e.g. Underworld, ASPECT, Badlands, OpenFOAM)

Underworld2, Badlands

-> software framework authors

No response

-> software & algorithm keywords

python, finite element, particle in cell

-> computer URI/DOI

https://nci.org.au/

-> add landing page image and caption

(a, b) Material, (c, d) viscosity, and (e, f) accumulated plastic strain of the coupling model in ALE-IB and Eulerian scheme (CC-CM2 and CC-CME) at Time=4.5 Ma.

-> add an animation (if relevant)

No response

-> add a graphic abstract figure (if relevant)

No response

-> add a model setup figure (if relevant)

Model setup for (a) viscous relaxation of sinusoidal topography, (b) continental collision, (c) strength profile for the models of continental collision.

-> add a description of your model setup

1. Topography relaxation
   The loading of the Earth's surface can be described as the initial periodic surface displacement of an isoviscous fluid within the infinite half-space (Turcotte and Schubert, 2002).

2. Continental collision
   A 2D thermo-mechanical model with surface processes to study the integrated influence of tectonics and surface processes on continental collision. The initial configuration consists of a homogeneous crust with a 45° dipping weak zone within the mantle lithosphere at x=640 km, representing a pre-existing subduction zone. The crust is 25 km thick and is overlain by a 40 km-thick sticky-air layer. The tectonic models part is adapted from Vogt et al. (2018) and Knight et al. (2021).

Please provide any feedback on the model submission process?

No response

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Model Report

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Parsed data

Section 1: Summary of your model

Model Submitter:

Neng Lu (0000-0001-9424-2315)

Model Creator(s):

• Neng Lu (0000-0001-9424-2315)

Model slug:

v4Lu-2026-ALEIB-Coupling

(this will be the name of the model repository when created)

Model name:

A novel ALE scheme with the internal boundary for coupling tectonic and surface processes in geodynamic models

License:

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Model Category:

• model published in study

Model Status:

• completed

Associated Publication title:

A novel ALE scheme with the internal boundary for coupling tectonic and surface processes in geodynamic models

Short description:

In this paper, we present a novel coupling framework that integrates the geodynamic codes Underworld 2 with the surface process code Badlands within the ALE-IB scheme. First, we outline the modelling approach and detail the principles underlying the coupling between surface processes and tectonic deformation. Second, we compare the performance of the coupled model built within this framework to that of an Eulerian-based approach, examining differences in structural and dynamic behaviour under varying surface process intensities.

Abstract:

Recent advancements in modelling the deformation of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, coupled with surface processes, have significantly deepened our understanding of how the Earth responds to integrated tectonic and erosional forces, which are intricately linked to climate dynamics. This study presents a novel coupling framework within the Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian with Internal Boundary (ALE-IB) scheme, which integrates the geodynamic codes Underworld 2 with the surface process code Badlands. Our innovative approach addresses the limitations of previous Eulerian-based coupling frameworks by maintaining the integrity of internal interfaces and providing precise surface tracking. This ensures accurate representation of material boundaries and enhances the fidelity of simulations involving complex geological processes. We detail the principles underlying the coupling of surface processes with tectonic deformation, leveraging the strengths of the ALE-IB scheme to model free surfaces and moving boundaries effectively. By comparing our model's performance with an Eulerian-based approach, we highlight key differences in structural and dynamic behaviour under varying surface process intensities. This comparison offers valuable insights into the intricate interactions between surface and deep Earth processes. Our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of geomorphological and tectonic evolution, providing a robust framework for future research in geodynamic and climate-related geological studies.

Scientific Keywords:

• ALE
• internal boundary
• coupling
• surface processes

Funder(s):

• ARC (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86)

Section 2: your model code, output data

No embargo on model contents requested

Include model code:

True

Model code existing URL/DOI:

https://github.com/NengLu/ALEIB_CouplingModeling

Model code notes:

Models are set up with Python scripts. Models require underworld2 and badlands to be run.

Include model output data:

True

Model output data notes:

output is primarily h5 files, ~34.2 GB of data.

Section 3: software framework and compute details

Software Framework DOI/URL:

Found software: Underworld2, Badlands

Software Repository:

https://github.com/underworldcode/underworld2

Name of primary software framework:

Underworld2, Badlands

Software & algorithm keywords:

• python
• finite element
• particle in cell

Section 4: web material (for mate.science)

Landing page image:

Filename: graphics/Image.png
Caption: (a, b) Material, (c, d) viscosity, and (e, f) accumulated plastic strain of the coupling model in ALE-IB and Eulerian scheme (CC-CM2 and CC-CME) at Time=4.5 Ma.

Animation:

Filename: None

Graphic abstract:

Filename: None

Model setup figure:

Filename: graphics/Image.png
Caption: Model setup for (a) viscous relaxation of sinusoidal topography, (b) continental collision, (c) strength profile for the models of continental collision.
Description: 1. Topography relaxation
The loading of the Earth's surface can be described as the initial periodic surface displacement of an isoviscous fluid within the infinite half-space (Turcotte and Schubert, 2002).

2. Continental collision
   A 2D thermo-mechanical model with surface processes to study the integrated influence of tectonics and surface processes on continental collision. The initial configuration consists of a homogeneous crust with a 45° dipping weak zone within the mantle lithosphere at x=640 km, representing a pre-existing subduction zone. The crust is 25 km thick and is overlain by a 40 km-thick sticky-air layer. The tectonic models part is adapted from Vogt et al. (2018) and Knight et al. (2021).

Errors and Warnings

Associated Publication
Could not fetch metadata with application/ld+json from https://api.crossref.org/works/https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5723-2026: 406 Client Error: Not Acceptable for url: https://api.crossref.org/works/https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5723-2026

Software Framework DOI/URI
doi.org metadata record succesfully extracted in json-ld format
Submitter
ORCID metadata record succesfully extracted in json-ld format

Model creators
ORCID metadata record succesfully extracted in json-ld format
Model Repository Slug
Warning: slug should be in the format familyname-year-keyword

Warning: Could not parse Embargo date. Check format.
Data creators
ORCID metadata record succesfully extracted in json-ld format
Model output DOI
Warning: No DOI/URI provided.
Animation
Warning: No animation uploaded.

Graphic abstract
Warning: No image uploaded.

Next steps

• once the model_reviewers team has approved the model, we will create a repository for your model

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Review Requested

A review of this submission has been requested from @ModelAtlasofTheEarth/model_reviewers

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Model repository created at https://github.com/ModelAtlasofTheEarth/CopyLu-2026-ALEIB-Coupling

[m-te-bot]

Model repository created at https://github.com/ModelAtlasofTheEarth/v3Lu-2026-ALEIB-Coupling