Title:  Physics-based modeling of earthquakes: fault geometry and fluid flow

Abstract:
As an earthquake modeler, I have focused on the effect of geometric complexity of the fault and fluid flow as a fundamental component of the earthquake generation process. I will present two projects in this seminar. First, by using an efficient and flexible computational method for solving earthquake sequences, I will show that a complex fault network can explain various characteristics of aftershocks. Second, I propose a new approach to calculate the fluid pressure and shear stress along the megathrust by considering fluid flow and dehydration reactions. In this model, near-lithostatic fluid pressure is achieved everywhere below the seismogenic zone.
I will then talk about my research plans for the next few years. I am developing a coupled earthquake cycle and fluid flow code that relaxes several assumptions in the previous work. This will allow us to better understand (1) earthquake swarms, such as in the Noto Peninsula, and (2) the mechanical/hydrological interaction between the megathrust (slow and fast) earthquakes and the intraplate earthquakes. I also discuss what kind of data is needed to inform/verify the models.