Numerical solution of a phase boundary problem using Fourier series (Q1273261)

Recently, modelling of the lithosphere thinning problem is considered as a phase boundary problem. The movement of the boundary is associated with a determination of the latter as a function of time and space involving the nonlinearity in the resulting system of partial differential equations. In the present paper the one-dimensional lithosphere thinning problem is discussed and the determination of the phase boundary due to perturbations in basal heat flux and plume temperature is considered. An additional condition on the boundary is used which takes into account the effect of a term arising due to the placement of a plume beneath the lithosphere. The Fourier series method is applied to change the nonlinear system into a system of ordinary differential equations. The stiffness in the latter is removed by means of \textit{V. G. Melamed}'s finite difference scheme [Zh. Vychisl. Mat. Mat. Fiz. 9, 1327-1335 (1969; Zbl 0317.65026)]. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated on three different types of heat flux showing thereby the effects on the moving front.