Propagator-matrix Technique for the Viscoelastic Response of a Multi-layered Sphere to Surface Toroidal Traction

We derive the matrix propagator for the response of a multi-layered, Maxwell viscoelastic sphere to a surface toroidal force in analytical form. Several numerical methods for 2-D and 3-D glacialisostatic adjustment (GIA) modelling have been applied recently. The present analytical approach may be used as an aid for testing more general algorithms of GIA. The propagator-matrix solution has been tested by comparing it with the analytical solution of two-layer and three-layer spheres, with full agreement obtained.