Lagrangian tracking methods applied to free surface boundaries in numerical geodynamic models

Gray, Timothy S.; Tackley, Paul J.; Gerya, Taras V.

doi:10.5194/gmd-19-8877-2026

Articles | Volume 19, issue 18

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-8877-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Special issue:

Advances in numerical modelling of geological processes

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-8877-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 19, issue 18

Development and technical paper

|

21 Sep 2026

Development and technical paper |

| 21 Sep 2026

Lagrangian tracking methods applied to free surface boundaries in numerical geodynamic models

Timothy S. Gray, Paul J. Tackley, and Taras V. Gerya

Data sets

tagYYFreeSurface (StagYYFS): A testbed for free-surface methods in geodynamical simulations using the finite volume (staggered-grid finite difference) discretization P. Tackley and T. Gray https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18281860

Model code and software

tagYYFreeSurface (StagYYFS): A testbed for free-surface methods in geodynamical simulations using the finite volume (staggered-grid finite difference) discretization P. Tackley and T. Gray https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18281860

Short summary

This study presents a new way to model how Earth’s surface changes over time as the deep interior moves. The method tracks the surface directly, allowing clearer and more detailed results worldwide while using less computing power. It improves accuracy compared to existing approaches and makes it easier to connect deep Earth processes with oceans, climate, landscapes, and life through time.