Computational Earthquake Science Part I

Abstract

During the last decade earthquake science has benefited from new observations, improved computational technologies, and improved modeling capabilities. Combining approaches in computational science, data assimilation, and information technology are improving our understanding of earthquake physics and dynamics The scientific method relies on development of a theoretical framework or simulation model describing nature. While no such model exists for the complete earthquake generation process, conceptual developments in understanding earthquake physics, numerical simulation methodology and advances in advanced computing offer the possibility to develop such models. Development of simulation models represents a grand scientific challenge due to of the complexity of phenomena and range of scales involved from microscopic to global. Such models are providing powerful new tools for studying earthquake precursory phenomena and the earthquake cycle. They will have direct application to earthquake hazard studies and earthquake engineering, and the potential to yield spin-offs in sectors such as mining, geophysical exploration, high performance computing, material science, and geotechnical engineering.