Davies, RhodriDavies, JHassan, OMorgan, K.Nithiarasu, P2015-12-100961-5539http://hdl.handle.net/1885/65714Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present an adaptive finite element procedure that improves the quality of convection dominated mid-ocean ridge (MOR) and subduction zone (SZ) simulations in geodynamics. Design/methodology/ approach: The method adapts the mesh automatically around regions of high-solution gradient, yielding enhanced resolution of the associated flow features. The approach utilizes an automatic, unstructured mesh generator and a finite element flow solver. Mesh adaptation is accomplished through mesh regeneration, employing information provided by an interpolation-based local error indicator, obtained from the computed solution on an existing mesh. Findings: The proposed methodology works remarkably well at improving solution accuracy for both MOR and SZ simulations. Furthermore, the method is computationally highly efficient. Originality/value: To date, successful goal-orientated/error-guided grid adaptation techniques have, to the knowledge, not been utilized within the field of geodynamics. This paper presents the first true geodynamical application of such methods.Keywords: Earth sciences; Flow simulation; Geophysics; Mesh generation; Oceanography; Adaptive finite element methods; Adaptive finite elements; Finite element analysis; Finite elements; Flow; Flow features; Flow solvers; Grid adaptations; Highly efficient; Local e Finite element analysis; Flow; Meshes; Oceanography; Simulation200810.1108/096155308108990792016-02-24