Multi-fault Earthquake Simulations (IMAGE)

University of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center

Multi-fault Earthquake Simulations

Caption

Scientists are using supercomputers to better predict the behavior of the world's most powerful, multiple-fault earthquakes. A science team used simulations to find dynamic interactions of a postulated network of faults in the Brawley seismic zone in southern California. Map (left panels) and 3D (right panels) view of supercomputer earthquake simulations in the Brawley Seismic Zone, CA. The figure shows how different stress conditions affect rupture propagation across the complex network of faults. The top panels show a high-stress case scenario (leading to very fast rupture propagation, higher than the S wave speed) while the bottom panels show a medium stress case simulation.

Credit

Christodoulos Kyriakopoulos.

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.