HR: 11:35h
AN: S12A-05 [Abstracts]
TI: The Source Physics of Large Earthquakes - Validating Spontaneous Rupture Methods
AU: * Harris, R A
EM: harris@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, M.S. 977, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
United States
AU: Archuleta, R
EM: ralph@crustal.ucsb.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States
AU: Aagaard, B
EM: baagaard@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, M.S. 977, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
United States
AU: Ampuero, J
EM: jampuero@Princeton.edu
AF: Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
United States
AU: Andrews, D J
EM: jandrews@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, M.S. 977, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
United States
AU: Dalguer, L
EM: ldalguer@moho.sdsu.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
United States
AU: Day, S
EM: day@moho.sdsu.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
United States
AU: Dunham, E
EM: edunham@physics.ucsb.edu
AF: Department of Physics, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States
AU: Ely, G
EM: gely@ucsd.edu
AF: IGPP/SIO, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
United States
AU: Kase, Y
EM: ykase@moho.sdsu.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
United States
AU: Lapusta, N
EM: lapusta@caltech.edu
AF: Divisions of Eng. and Appl. Sci., and Geol. and Planet. Sci., Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125
United States
AU: Liu, Y
EM: yil@caltech.edu
AF: Divisions of Eng. and Appl. Sci., and Geol. and Planet. Sci., Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125
United States
AU: Ma, S
EM: sma@crustal.ucsb.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States
AU: Oglesby, D
EM: david.oglesby@ucr.edu
AF: Department of Earth Sciences, UC Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521
United States
AU: Olsen, K
EM: kbolsen@sciences.sdsu.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
United States
AU: Pitarka, A
EM: Arben_Pitarka@URSCorp.com
AF: URS Corporation, 566 El Dorado Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
United States
AB:
Computer simulations of earthquake source rupture physics started more than 20 years ago, and the now classic papers of
Andrews [1976], Das and Aki [1977], Mikumo and Miyatake [1978], and Day [1982] are included in every new spontaneous rupture
modeler's required reading. Until 10 years ago, only a few researchers were able to numerically simulate spontaneous rupture
propagation in 3D and the users of this methodology were primarily theoretical seismologists. In contrast, in current times
numerous spontaneous rupture computer codes are being developed by researchers around the world, and the results are
starting to be implemented in earthquake hazard assessment, for both seismological and engineering applications. Since most
of the problems simulated using this numerical approach have no analytical solutions, it is imperative to compare and
validate the various versions of this research tool. To this end, a collaborative project of the Southern California
Earthquake Center (funded by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation) is currently underway. Our
first 3D simulation exercise occurred in the fall of 2003 and had participants with 8 operational 3D spontaneous rupture
codes; the most recent 2004 exercise involves participants with 10 operational codes. We have started with the basic problem
of earthquake nucleation and spontaneous rupture propagation on a vertical strike-slip fault in a homogeneous material. We
will soon be moving from comparison to validation, by comparing our simulation results with laboratory recordings of seismic
motion due to rupture on a vertical strike-slip fault. Future simulation exercises will have increased complexity in fault
geometry, material properties, stress conditions, and friction. Our overall objective is a complete understanding of the
simulation methods and their ability to faithfully replicate our hypotheses about earthquake rupture physics.
DE: 7223 Seismic hazard assessment and prediction
DE: 7209 Earthquake dynamics and mechanics
DE: 7212 Earthquake ground motions and engineering
SC: Seismology [S]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting