Digital simulation trial of hydroisostasy by finite element method

Abstract

Hydroisostasy as a geodynamic phenomenon was discovered along investigation sea level changes of the World
 Ocean as result of intakes water to glaciers during Glacial period and releasing back during Interglacials. The water loads
 under sea level changes influenced the change of solid Earth shape and make the contribution to the vertical Earth crust
 movement along shorelines areas. A vertical shorelines movements are critical issue of the longtime living infrastructure coast
 facilities design with the overflooding and overdrainage forecast.
 The main method of hydroisostasy phenomenon investigation is remain the digital simulation. The global character of phenomenon
 require simulation involving all planet volume and detail accounting of the lithosphere and mantle layers features
 for each region which is forced to use 3-D modeling with high resolution and require big computing resources.
 Finite element method with ability to assign boundary conditions allow to use local-regions models with enough resolutions
 and take into accounts local lithosphere and mantle features without involving big computing resources.
 One of the free software packs with open code and possibility applying FEM for geodynamics simulations is — ELMER, software
 designed and supported by Finland CSC — IT CENTER FOR SCIENCE LTD.
 The trial applying of ELMER software packs for modeling hydroisostasy phenomenon for Earth interior conditions close to
 Deryugin depression in Okhotsk sea in this study has done. A plausible and encouraging result obtained for continuation of
 research in more detail.