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What is GDL

The Group of Dynamics of the Lithosphere formed in 1998 at the Geosciences Barcelona (Geo3BCN-CSIC), and today incorporates researchers from different institutes and countries united by their interest on lithospheric-scale processes and their interaction with processes occurring on the Earth's surface. Our research is focused on geodynamics, one of the three challenges of the Geo3BCN Institute. Our objectives are:

  • Determining the structure and properties of the crust and lithosphere

  • Studying the long-term lithospheric evolution coupling shallow- and deep-seated processes

  • Developing 2D and 3D numerical geodynamic models

  • Understanding the mechanisms of surface sediment transport and landscape evolution.

Our group manages the Laboratory of Geodynamic Modelling.

Since 2017, we are a Recognized Group of the Catalan government (AGAUR 2017 SGR 847) as Group of GeoDynamic Modeling of the Lithosphere (GDL).

Areas of research

  • Tectonic deformation, paleoclimate, and erosion history of orogens and orogenic plateaus such as the Pyrenees, Zagros, Atlas, Andes and the Tibetan Plateau.

  • Sedimentary basin evolution and detrital records of orogen erosion, paleotopography, paleoclimate, and vegetation.

  • Rheology and properties of rocks at micro- and macro-scale

Tools we use

  • Numerical modeling (tectonic, thermal, mechanical, atmospheric, and surface process models).

  • Cosmogenics, fission-track analysis, and other thermochronometers.

  • Field work on structural geology, stratigraphy, and geomorphology.

  • Geographic information systems (GIS) and geomorphic analysis.

  • Geophysical data analysis (heat flow, gravity, seismic reflection profiles)