MAPT³

Multi-disciplinary and Automatic Plate Tessellation and Time tracking Toolkit.

MAPT³ is a Python package developed by Janin et al., (2025) for the analysis of numerical geodynamic models. It enables automatic tessellation of 3D spherical models, tracking of the detected tectonic plates through time, and efficient manipulation of outputs. It leverages TTK and ParaView, coupled to a geodynamical analysis it provides researchers with a powerful toolkit for geodynamical analysis.

For a detailed description of the methods and scientific background, we encourage you to read the corresponding paper: Janin et al., (2025)

MAPT³ is actively maintained and regularly updated to provide the best possible experience. Stay tuned for new features and improvements!

Install MAPT³

1. Download

Download MAPT³ from this page and unzip the archive. Then, move into the main directory of the package:

cd MAPT3-main/

2. Creation of a new environment

We strongly recommend installing MAPT³ in a python environment different from the base using conda:

conda create --name mapt3

Activate the new environment:

conda activate mapt3

3. Installation of TTK - topology toolkit

Before installing MAPT³, installation of TTK:

conda install conda-forge::topologytoolkit

4. Linking MAPT³

To link in a user module directory, use pip and run:

python -m pip install .

Uninstall MAPT³ in the environment

As you used pip for the installation, use it to uninstall the package. In a terminal, run:

pip uninstall MAPT3

Use MAPT³

An example of a simple workflow using MAPT³ is provided in docs/sample with scripts and data. Read the associated README file carefully and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Tip: For users of the mantle convection code StagYY, pypStag provides an easy and efficient way to generate input files for ParaView and MAPT³ from the binary output files of StagYY.

Cite MAPT³

If you use MAPT³ in your research, we kindly ask that you cite the following paper that describe the package and the underlying method.

You can use the following APA style citation:

Janin, A., Coltice, N., Chamot-Rooke, N., Tierny, J. Geodynamics of a global plate reorganization from topological data analysis. Nature Geoscience (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01772-7

Or the following bibTeX citation:

@article{janin2025geodynamics,
    author = {Janin, Alexandre and Coltice, Nicolas and Chamot-Rooke, Nicolas and Tierny, Julien},
    title = {Geodynamics of a global plate reorganization from topological data analysis},
    journal = {Nature Geoscience},
    year = {2025},
    month = {8},
    day = {20},
    issn = {1752-0908},
    doi = {10.1038/s41561-025-01772-7},
    url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01772-7},
}

Citing our work helps us continue to improve and maintain this project. Thank you for your support!