The importance of subduction history and mineral grain size evolution to mantle dynamics

Earth's surface shows many features whose genesis can only be understood through their connection with the dynamics and structure of Earth's interior. I develop high-resolution 3D geodynamic models using the community software ASPECT to study this link. I will talk about how integrating a realistic subduction history, plate geometries, and plate motions into geodynamic models is crucial for understanding how mantle plumes inherit the lower-mantle geochemical structure. Moreover, I will show that grain size evolution drastically affects the dynamics of mantle convection and the rheology of the mantle, controlling the shape of upwellings and downwellings.