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LoadDef: A Python-Based Toolkit to Model Elastic Deformation Caused by Surface Mass Loading on Spherically Symmetric

Hilary R Martens¹, Luis Rivera², Mark Simons³

¹Department of Geosciences University of Montana Missoula MT USA.

Earth and Space Science (Hoboken, N.J.)

|April 23, 2019

Summary

LoadDef is a new Python software suite that models planetary deformation caused by surface mass changes. It helps scientists understand Earth

Keywords:

Earth deformation Earth structure Love numbers load Green's functions ocean tidal loading surface mass loading

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Area of Science:

Geophysics
Planetary Science
Computational Geodynamics

Background:

Planetary deformation is influenced by temporal variations in surface masses (hydrosphere, atmosphere) and forces (shear, gravity).
Understanding deformation patterns is crucial for constraining interior structure and force distribution models.
Applications span hydrology, glaciology, geodynamics, atmospheric science, and climatology.

Purpose of the Study:

Introduce LoadDef, a modular Python software suite for modeling planetary deformation.
Provide a self-consistent computational framework for diverse geodetic applications.
Facilitate sensitivity studies and geodetic tomography for mass-loading applications.

Main Methods:

LoadDef computes real-valued potential, load, and shear Love numbers for self-gravitating, spherically symmetric models.
It calculates Love-number partial derivatives concerning planetary density and elastic structure.
The suite generates displacement, gravity, tilt, and strain load Green's functions for surface mass loading.

Main Results:

LoadDef enables computation of three-component surface displacements induced by surface mass loading.
The software requires only planetary structure and mass-load models as input.
Results have been validated against Global Navigation Satellite System observations and independent software.

Conclusions:

LoadDef offers end-to-end forward-modeling capabilities for mass-loading applications.
The software provides a versatile tool for geodynamics and planetary science research.
A case study demonstrates LoadDef's utility in predicting Earth's elastic response to ocean tidal loading.