École Normale Supérieure - PSL
avatar

Mingqi Liu

Postdoc
École Normale Supérieure - PSL
liumq12@outlook.com


Research

From lithospheric deformation to earthquake rupture

From minerals to mantle, my research deciphers the multi-scale physics that drive the Wilson cycle, bridging grain-scale processes, melt/fluid-rock interactions, and mantle convection to understand Earth's dynamic evolution. My research integrates geological fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and theoretical frameworks to develop next-generation, physics-based 2D/3D numerical models that simulate these complex systems.

My work specifically focuses on two key areas:

  1. Long-term tectonic evolution: I develop advanced magmatic-thermo-mechanical models that couple grain-size evolution with melt/fluid transport to unravel the initiation and life cycle of major tectonic features, from mid-ocean ridges to subduction zones.
  2. Short-term earthquake dynamics: I incorporate laboratory-derived, thermally activated friction laws into seismic cycle models to simulate realistic earthquake rupture dynamics and aftershock sequences along transform faults.

Framework

Research overview

Research overview
A connected framework spanning ridge evolution, subduction-zone dynamics, transform-fault earthquakes, and planetary-scale tectonic questions.

Themes

Core research directions

Research I

Mid-ocean ridges dynamics

I investigate how magma supply, grain-size evolution, and brittle–ductile weakening shape faulting, crustal thickness, and tectonic structure at mid-ocean ridges.

Research II

Subduction zone evolution

I investigate how fluids, melts, and rheological feedbacks reduce lithospheric strength, drive thinning and destruction, and shape the long-term evolution of convergent margins.

Research III

Transform fault seismicity

I integrate laboratory-derived friction and constitutive laws into seismic cycle models to explain rupture complexity and transform-fault earthquake dynamics.

Methods

How I work

Numerical modeling

Physics-based 2D/3D geodynamic and seismic-cycle simulations designed to connect grain-scale mechanisms with plate-scale behavior.

Laboratory constraints

Experimentally informed constitutive laws for friction, healing, and rheological weakening that can be embedded in dynamic models.

Comparative systems

Cross-system analysis spanning oceanic ridges, subduction zones, transform faults, and planetary settings to identify shared physical controls.

Tools

Research software

THERMOBRIX

A MATLAB package for thermo-baric brittle-viscous fault dynamics simulations.

PyELVIS

An in-development Python package for post-processing and visualizing 2D/3D geodynamic models.