Research Interests:

Numerical modelling, geodynamics, tectonics, lithosphere rheology, continental rifting, subduction

• Numerical thermo-mechanical modelling of geodynamic processes;

• Rheological behavior of the continental lithosphere;

• Mechanisms of continental rifting and break-up;

• Interactions between mantle plumes and continental lithosphere;

• Subduction initiation and evolution;

• Links between topography and tectonics.

First author publications since 2015:

1) Koptev A., Cloetingh S., Gerya T., Sternai P., Botsyun S. (2022). Ocean-continent subduction cannot be initiated without preceding intra-oceanic subduction!. // Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 1097922.

2) Koptev A., Nettesheim M., Falkowski S., Ehlers T.A. (2022). 3D geodynamic‑geomorphologic modelling of deformation and exhumation at curved plate boundaries: Implications for the southern Alaskan plate corner. // Scientific Reports, 12, 14260.

3) Koptev A., Nettesheim M., Ehlers T.A. (2022). Plate corner subduction and rapid localized exhumation: Insights from 3D coupled geodynamic and geomorphological modelling. // Terra Nova, 34(3), 210-223.

4) Koptev A., Cloetingh S., Ehlers T.A. (2021). Longevity of small-scale (“baby”) plumes and their role in lithospheric break-up. // Geophysical Journal International, 227(1), 439-471.

5) Koptev A., Cloetingh S., Kovács I.J., Gerya T., Ehlers T.A. (2021). Controls by rheological structure of the lithosphere on the temporal evolution of continental magmatism: Inferences from the Pannonian Basin system. // Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 565, 116925.

6) Koptev A., Ehlers T.A., Nettesheim M., Whipp D.M. (2019). Response of a rheologically stratified lithosphere to subduction of an indenter-shaped plate: Insights into localized exhumation at orogen syntaxes. // Tectonics, 38(6), 1908-1930.

7) Koptev A., Beniest A., Gerya T., Ehlers T.A., Jolivet L., Leroy S. (2019). Plume-induced breakup of a subducting plate: Microcontinent formation without cessation of the subduction process. // Geophysical Research Letters, 46(7), 3663-3675.

8) Koptev A., Gerya T., Calais E., Leroy S., Burov E. (2018). Afar triple junction triggered by plume-assisted bi-directional continental break-up. // Scientific Reports, 8, 14742.

9) Koptev A., Calais E., Burov E., Leroy S., Gerya T. (2018). Along-axis variations of rift width in a coupled lithosphere-mantle system, Application to East Africa. // Geophysical Research Letters, 45(11), 5362-5370.

10) Koptev A., Cloetingh S., Gerya T., Calais E., Leroy S. (2018). Non-uniform splitting of a single mantle plume by double cratonic roots: Insight into the origin of the central and southern East African Rift System. // Terra Nova, 30(2), 125-134.

11) Koptev A., Burov E., Gerya T., Le Pourhiet L., Leroy S., Calais E., Jolivet L. (2018). Plume-induced continental rifting and break-up in ultra-slow extension context: Insights from 3D numerical modeling. // Tectonophysics, 746, 121-137.

12) Koptev A., Cloetingh S., Burov E., François T., Gerya T. (2017). Long-distance impact of Iceland plume on Norway’s rifted margin. // Scientific Reports, 7, 10408.

13) Koptev A., Burov E., Calais E., Leroy S., Gerya T., Guillou-Frottier L., Cloetingh S. (2016). Contrasted continental rifting via plume-craton interaction: Applications to Central East African rift. // Geoscience Frontiers, 7(2), 221-236.

14) Koptev A., Calais E., Burov E., Leroy S., Gerya T. (2015). Dual continental rift systems generated by plume-lithosphere interaction. // Nature Geoscience, 8(5), 388-392.

The full list of publications and the files in pdf format can be found here: http://koptev.1gb.ru/PublicationsList_en.html

Career:

Since 2022 GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany; postdoctoral fellowship;    

2019 – 2021 University of Tübingen, Department of Geosciences, Tübingen, Germany; Alexander von Humboldt Experienced Researcher fellowship;

2017 – 2019 University of Tübingen, Department of Geosciences, Tübingen, Germany; postdoctoral fellowship;

2013 – 2017 University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris-6, ISTEP-UMR7193, Paris, France; postdoctoral fellowship;

2012 LLC «GeoGrid», Moscow, Russia; head geologist;

2006 – 2011 Lomonosov Moscow State University, Geological Faculty, Regional Geology and Earth History Department, Moscow, Russia; research engineer.

Education:

2022    Habilitation in Geology, Geophysics and Geodynamics, University of Tübingen, Germany

2008 – 2011    Ph.D. in Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia

2006 – 2008    M.Sc. in Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia

2002 – 2006    B.Sc. in Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia

Awards:

Russian President Award, 2008

Edward A. Flinn - Pembroke J. Hart Award (Outstanding Young Scientist), International Lithosphere Program, 2018