HR: 1330h
AN: U23A-02    [Abstracts]
TI: A Web-Based Environment for Modeling Deformation at Subduction Zones
AU: * Foutz, L J
EM: foutzl@rpi.edu
AF: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dept. of Computer Science, Lally Hall, Troy, NY 12180 United States
AU: Williams, C A
EM: willic3@rpi.edu
AF: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science, Science Center, 1W19, Troy, NY 12180 United States
AU: McCaffrey, R
EM: mccafr@rpi.edu
AF: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science, Science Center, 1W19, Troy, NY 12180 United States
AU: Spooner, D L
EM: spoonerd@cs.rpi.edu
AF: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dept. of Computer Science, Lally Hall, Troy, NY 12180 United States
AB: Subduction zones compose a large percentage of the plate boundaries on earth, and are capable of producing the largest and most devastating earthquakes. One of the critical problems for these regions is the determination of the portions of the plate boundary along which stress is accumulating and earthquakes are likely to initiate. Surface geodetic data, in conjunction with a suitable forward model, can help to constrain these stress accumulation patterns. We have developed a web-based tool that attempts to provide a complete environment for such problems. Our modeling environment allows users to select geodetic data for a particular region from our database, filtered by user-specified criteria. It is also possible to contribute data to the database. Two types of forward models are available: an enhanced elastic half-space dislocation (EHSD) model or a finite elastic plate (FP) model, both with user-specified elastic properties. After selecting a fault geometry, an appropriate finite element mesh is used to generate Green's functions for use in an inversion. Parameters controlling an inversion are then specified, including the option to determine the rotation poles of blocks that rotate with respect to the overriding plate. Once the inversion has been performed, we provide visualization facilities for viewing the results, or the user can simply download the desired results. We provide an overview of the modeling environment and demonstrate its use.
DE: 1206 Crustal movements--interplate (8155)
DE: 3210 Modeling
DE: 3260 Inverse theory
DE: 8150 Plate boundary--general (3040)
DE: 8164 Stresses--crust and lithosphere
SC: Union [U]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly