My research aims to bridge geodynamic modeling with geological, geochemical, and geophysical observations. By integrating numerical models with multidisciplinary datasets, we seek to elucidate how deep Earth dynamics control surface processes such as tectonics, magmatism, and landscape evolution.

My research interests include mantle convection and mantle plumes; tectonic-magmatic migration; anomalous subduction processes; long-term plate convergence; craton evolution and destruction; and multi-level magma systems. [Seeking highly motivated PhD students or postdoc!!!]

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Liang-Liu-63. Research Gate

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=R2bNTuMAAAAJ&hl=en. Google Scholar

1. Liu, L.*, Morgan, J.P.*, Xu, Y.G., Long, S.M., de Montserrat, A., and Mogan, W.J., 2025. Revisiting the Scale of Mantle Plume-Induced Hotspot Swell. Sci Adv. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ady1276.

2. Liu, L.*, Cao, Z., Morgan, J.P., Hua, Y.Y., Liu, L.J.*, Yang, F., Long, S.M., and Xu, Y.G., 2025. Lens effect of remnant blocks on deep mantle upwelling causing anomalous subsidence. Nat Commun. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62987-1.

3. Sun, Y., Yang, T.*, Liu, L.* and Xu, Y.G., 2025. Numerical modeling of melting‐induced decarbonation during the flattening of the subducted slab within the mantle transition zone. JGR: Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB029623.

4. Liu, L.*, Liu, L.J., Xu Y.G., Morgan, J.P.*, 2024c. Intermittent terrane arrival induces pulses of inland tectonic cycles. EPSL. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118861.

5. Liu, L.*, Cao, Z., Morgan, J.P. *, Li, H.Y., Yang, F., and Xu, Y.G., 2024a. Long-lived Northern Hemisphere convergence systems driven by upper-mantle thermal inhomogeneity. Geology. https://doi.org/10.1130/G51948.1.

6. Liu, L.*, Li, H.Y.*, Liu, L.J., Ryan, J.G., Morgan, Ren, K.X., J.P., Xu, Y.G., 2024b. Horizontally Forced Initiation of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Subduction Zone. CEE. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01263-4.

7.Liu, L.*, Liu, L.J.*, Morgan, J.P., Xu, Y.G. and Chen, L., 2023. New constraints on Cenozoic subduction between India and Tibet. Nat Commun. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37615-5.

8. Liu, L., Liu, L.J, and Xu, Y.G., 2021b. Intermittent Post-Paleocene continental collision in South Asia. GRL. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094531.

9. Liu, L., Liu, L.J., and Xu, Y.G., 2021a. Mesozoic intraplate tectonism of East Asia due to flat subduction of a composite Yanshanian slab. ESR. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103505.

10. Liu, L., Liu, L.J., Xu, Y.G., Xia, B., Ma, Q. and Menzies, M., 2019. Development of a dense cratonic keel prior to the destruction of the North China Craton: constraints from sedimentary records and numerical simulation. JGR: Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018595.

11. Liu, L.*, Morgan, J.P*., Xu, Y. G.*, and Menzies, M., 2018a. Craton Destruction Part I: Cratonic Keel Delamination along a weak Mid‐Lithospheric Discontinuity layer, JGR: Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JB015372.

12. Liu, L.*, Morgan, J.P.*, Xu, Y. G.*, and Menzies, M., 2018b. Craton Destruction Part II: Evolution of Cratonic Lithosphere after a Rapid Keel Delamination Event, JGR: Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JB015374.

13. Wu, T., Liu, L., Zhang, W., Wilde, S.A., et al., 2025. Implications of unexpectedly young seafloor in the Challenger Deep. Geology.

14. Wang, C., Qian, Y., Wang, J., Liu, L., …, 2025. The source and thermal driver of young (< 3.0 Ga) lunar volcanism. Sci Adv.

15. 徐义刚、刘亮；地幔波动能影响大陆轮廓的形成[J]；中国科学基金；2025年02期.

16. Yang, F., Huang, X.L., Xu, Y.G., … Liu, L., 2024. Excessive subsidence of oceanic basins caused by recycled oceanic crust in the mantle source: A new perspective on the oceanic topography within Southeast Asia. Geology.

17. Zou, Z.Y., Ma, Q., Xu, Y.G., Liu, L., et al., 2024. Stratigraphic and U-Pb zircon age constraints on the timing of the Yanliao Biota in northern China. GSAB.

18. Sun, M.D., Lin, Q., Ramezani, J., Liu, J.S., Lu, Z.A., Yang, H.Q., Bai, J.H., Cai, S.X., Chen, J.C., Chen, X.Y. and Cui, H., 2025. Terrestrial ecosystem response to Early Cretaceous global environmental change: A calibrated, high-resolution Aptian record from Northeast China. EPSL.

19. Wu, X., Hu, J., Chen, L., Liu, L. and Liu, L., 2023. Paleogene India-Eurasia collision constrained by observed plate rotation. Nat Commun.

20. Xin, J., Zhang, H., Orellana‐Rovirosa, F., Li, Z.H., Liu, L., Xu, Y.G., Zhang, Z. and Shi, Y., 2023. Dynamics of Oceanic Slab Tearing During Transform‐Fault Horizontally‐Oblique Subduction: Insights From 3D Numerical Modeling. JGR: Solid Earth.

21. Li, H.Y., Xie, C., Ryan, J.G., Spencer, C.J., Liu, L. and Xu, Y.G., 2023. Pb-Sr isotopes of the Kurile arc provide evidence for Indian-type oceanic crust in the Pacific basin. Lithos.

22. Peng, L., Liu L.J., and Liu, L., 2022. The Fate of Delaminated Cratonic Lithosphere. EPSL.

23. Liu, L.J., Peng, D., Liu, L., Chen, L., Li, S., Wang, Y., Cao, Z. and Feng, M., 2021. East Asian lithospheric evolution dictated by multistage Mesozoic flat-slab subduction. ESR.

24. Liu, H.Q., Xu, Y.G., Wei, G.J., Wei, J.X., Yang, F., Chen, X.Y., Liu, L. and Wei, X., 2016. B isotopes of Carboniferous‐Permian volcanic rocks in the Tuha basin mirror a transition from subduction to intraplate setting in Central Asian Orogenic Belt. JGR: Solid Earth.