2 Dimensional Cartesian Demonstrations
These are demonstrations produced by running the 2D Cartesian version
of the finite element code, Citcom [Moresi, Gurnis].
Effect of Rayleigh Number
Effect of Temperature-Dependent Viscosity
Effect of Rayleigh Number
The vigor of convection is measured by the Rayleigh number (Ra). These movies show the effect
on increasing the Rayleigh number of a fluid of constant viscosity (isoviscous). Some of the lower
Rayleigh number examples don't have movies because they are not time-dependent (they have constant
flow patterns with time).
Rayleigh number = 104
(full-sized snapshot image)
Rayleigh number = 105
(full-sized snapshot image)
Rayleigh number = 106
(full-sized snapshot image)
[watch it reach steady state] movie (4.0 MB)
Rayleigh number = 107
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (1.1 MB)
Rayleigh number = 108
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (2.3 MB)
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Effect of Temperature-dependent Viscosity
Minerals that compose the Earth's mantle have a temperature-dependent viscosity, meaning
that they flow more easily if they are hot than if they are cold. The following movies
all have a Raleigh number of 106, but they differ in the temperature-dependence
of viscosity. The viscosity contrast indicates how much the viscosity changes from the hottest
to the coldest regions of the model.
Viscosity Contrast = 100
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (?.? MB)
Viscosity Contrast = 1000
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (?.? MB)
Viscosity Contrast = 10,000
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (2.3 MB)
Viscosity Contrast = 100,000
(full-sized snapshot image)
movie (?.? MB)
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