A Benchmark for 2-Dimensional Incompressible and Compressible Mantle Convection Using COMSOL Multiphysics (R)

In this study, a benchmark of mantle convection is conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics (R), a commercial program based on the finite element method (FEM). For the benchmark, simplified mantle convection models are formulated by including incompressibility or compressibility of the mantle. The benchmarked governing equations include anelastic liquid approximation (ALA), truncated anelastic liquid approximation (TALA), extended Boussinesq approximation (EBA) and Boussinesq approximation (BA) by varying dissipation and Rayleigh numbers. Since the COMSOL Multiphysics (R) has user-friendly modeling interfaces and environments, non-specialists in computational geodynamics can use the program for their own geodynamic modeling. In addition, the program allows easy modifications of rheology and material properties as well as governing equations for the user's specified modeling purposes. The results in this study are well consistent with the published results. The COMSOL Multiphysics (R) is promising for diverse modelings of computational geodynamics.