Arushi Saxena

Post-doc Scholar

Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics, University of California Davis

About me

I am a geophysicist interested in investigating the coupling between deeper mantle flow and observed surface tectonics. For my research, I develop global and regional-scale numerical models that combine available geophysical constraints. I contribute and use ASPECT and GeodynamicWorldBuilder to setup and run all my models. Currently, I am developing educational modules olustrating complex Geodynamic concepts that require intricate programming of physical principles and their numerical approximation for the scientific community. A brief detail of my past and current projects is mentioned below.

Education

PhD, 2020

Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis
Integrated M.Tech in Geophysics, 2014

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Research Projects

Global Mantle Flow Models: We develop global compressible mantle flow models based on a high-resolution seismic tomography, a temperature model that resolves the lithospheric structure and slabs well, and different plate boundary configurations. Our models show that Earth’s plate boundaries are not uniform and better described by discrete shear zones in the oceans and distributed faults within continents. Our results also emphasize the importance of slab pull within the uppermost mantle (< 300 km depth) to the total plate driving force.

Intraplate Seismicity: We setup numerical models of lithospheric scales based on the seismic tomography to understand the intraplate seismicity in the Central and Eastern US (CEUS), including the largest intraplate seismic zones in the US, the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). We infer physical parameters of the upper mantle from a high-resolution seismic tomography model and model stresses at preexisting fault orientations in the seismic zones of the CEUS. Our models show that upper mantle structures and heterogeneity play a crucial role in stress concentration at the CEUS, providing a mechanism for intraplate seismicity in this region.

Receiver Functions: We use S-wave receiver functions to find negative velocity gradient below the Mississippi Embayment. We find a consistent phase within the lithosphere at 60 to 120 km indicative of a mid-lithospheri discontinuity arising due to thermal and compositional changes below our study region.

News

Sep, 2022 Presented in the departmental seminar series by Center for Earthquake Research and Information, Memphis

May, 2022 Attended the ASPECT Hackathon at Cody Wyoming

May, 2022 Presented in the EGU meeting (virtual)

Mar, 2022 Presented in the departmental seminar series by IISER Pune, India (virtual)

Oct, 2021 Presented in the departmental seminar series by University of Postdam, Germany (virtual)

Sept, 2021 Presented in the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida seminar series (virtual)

May 2021: Attended the ASPECT Hackathon , virtual

May, 2020: Defended my doctoral thesis