A revolutionary network transforming how we study Earth's dynamics through collaborative laboratory experiments
Imagine trying to understand an earthquake without ever studying how rocks break under pressure, or predicting volcanic activity without analyzing molten rock behavior. For decades, earth scientists faced a fundamental challenge: how to study planetary processes that occur over millions of years across vast distances. The solution lies in sophisticated laboratory experiments that compress these immense scales into manageable observations.
Enter the European Plate Observing System (EPOS Multi-Scale Laboratories (MSL), a revolutionary network transforming how we study Earth's dynamics. By connecting over 100 world-class laboratories across Europe, EPOS MSL creates a collaborative framework where experimental data and facilities are shared openly, accelerating discoveries about natural hazards, resource management, and fundamental planetary processes 1 7 .
For the analogue modeling community—scientists who create scaled-down physical simulations of geological processes—this initiative has been particularly transformative. As Dr. Audrey Ougier-Simonin, co-chair of the MSL consortium, explains, their mission is to "collect experimental and analytical data on rock properties and the dynamics of processes controlling the multi-scale behavior of geological systems" and "integrate, harmonize and make accessible these data" for societal benefit 1 5 .
Analogue modeling in geosciences involves laboratory studies of the mechanics and dynamics of geological processes operating across vast spatial and temporal scales 5 . Using specialized materials, researchers create miniature versions of mountain formation, fault systems, and volcanic activity to observe processes that would be impossible to monitor directly in nature.
These experiments investigate everything from deep geodynamic processes like mantle convection and subduction to surface processes such as tectonic interactions with climate, and even natural hazards including earthquakes and landslides 5 .
4 countries
6 countries
~25 facilities
2010
The community has been part of EPOS since its preparatory phase in 2010, with the network expanding from initial laboratories in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and France to approximately 25 facilities across six countries today 5 .
The power of EPOS MSL lies in its structured approach to scientific collaboration
The platform centralizes data, products, and software from various laboratory infrastructures, categorizing resources into specialized sub-domains including analogue modeling 1 .
Researchers can apply to use laboratory facilities across Europe, breaking down geographical and financial barriers to cutting-edge equipment 5 .
The analogue modeling community played a pioneering role within EPOS by being the first sub-domain to publish data with Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), ensuring proper citation and recognition for data contributors 5 .
To understand how EPOS MSL advances science, let's examine a typical analogue modeling experiment that studies how tectonic rift systems develop:
Researchers prepare a mixture of fine-grained sand and powdered clay, creating materials with mechanical properties that mimic natural rock behavior under stress 5 .
The analog materials are layered in a transparent tank, with different colors representing various rock strata. A weak zone is created in the base to simulate a pre-existing weakness in the Earth's crust.
The experiment begins by slowly pulling apart the base of the model in a controlled manner, simulating the tectonic forces that create rift valleys like East Africa's Great Rift Valley.
High-resolution cameras record the deformation from multiple angles, while laser scanners and photogrammetry capture detailed measurements of the evolving model surface.
Sensors within the model measure strain distribution, while time-lapse imagery captures the progression of fault formation.
The model is carefully dissected to examine the internal structure of the fault systems, with samples taken for microstructural analysis.
The experiment reveals how strain localizes into discrete fault systems and how these faults evolve and interact over time. The initial phase shows widely distributed deformation, which progressively focuses into major fault zones. Secondary faults form between major structures, creating the complex patterns observed in natural rift systems.
Illuminating how fault systems evolve to better assess seismic risks.
Revealing how geological structures trap hydrocarbons and geothermal resources.
Showing the connection between deep tectonic processes and surface features.
| Tool/Material | Function | Geological Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Fine-grained sands | Simulate brittle upper crust | Upper crustal rocks |
| Silicone polymers | Mimic ductile lower crust and mantle | Lower crust and mantle rocks |
| Centrifuges | Enhance gravitational forces | Geological timescales |
| High-speed cameras | Capture rapid deformation events | Long-term monitoring networks |
| Laser scanners | Measure surface topography | GPS and satellite measurements |
| Transparent sidewalls | Allow internal process observation | Geophysical imaging techniques |
| Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) | Track material movement in 2D/3D | Crustal motion tracking |
A cornerstone of EPOS MSL's success is its commitment to FAIR data principles, ensuring that data from analogue modeling experiments is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable 7 . The platform offers researchers "a fully operational data publication chain tailored to the specific needs of laboratory research, from a bespoke metadata editor, through dedicated, (domain-specific) data repositories, to the MSL Portal showcasing these citable data publications" 7 .
Using controlled vocabularies developed in collaboration with international partners like the NSF-EarthCube StraboSpot project 5 .
Typically CC BY 4.0, that facilitate reuse while protecting authorship 7 .
The analogue modeling community has taken a leadership role in developing these standards, recognizing that consistent data documentation enables effective scientific collaboration and technical interoperability across laboratories 5 .
The research enabled by EPOS MSL has direct applications to pressing societal issues:
Data on rock properties and fault dynamics inform earthquake risk assessment and mining safety 1 .
Understanding geological processes aids in sustainable exploration of geo-resources 5 .
Analog modeling of surface processes helps unravel climate-tectonic interactions 5 .
The future of EPOS MSL includes several exciting initiatives:
to the EPOS Central Portal, the main discovery and access point for European multi-disciplinary data 7 .
to expand the network's resources 7 .
to drive innovation and foster a more collaborative research environment 1 .
allowing researchers to identify suitable facilities across Europe 5 .
The EPOS Multi-Scale Laboratories represent a paradigm shift in how earth science research is conducted. By creating a vibrant ecosystem of shared knowledge and resources, the initiative accelerates our understanding of planetary processes while making research more efficient and inclusive.
For the analogue modeling community, this has meant unprecedented opportunities to validate models across different laboratories, compare results using standardized methodologies, and build on each other's discoveries rather than working in isolation. As the network continues to grow, it promises to unlock even deeper insights into the dynamic processes that shape our planet.
As one researcher involved in the initiative noted, the platform makes laboratories and equipment discoverable, meaning researchers can further their work "by making use of MSL labs and expertise." For those unfamiliar with specific laboratory techniques, the community offers support: "No worries - we can often help you" 1 . This collaborative spirit, enabled by technical infrastructure and shared standards, is ultimately what makes EPOS MSL a revolutionary force in earth sciences.