Objective
The propagation of seismic waves through the Earth can nowadays be modelled accurately with the recently developed spectral-element method. This method takes into account heterogeneity in Earth models, such as three-dimensional variations of seismic wave velocity, density, and crystal thickness. The method is implemented on relatively inexpensive clusters of personal computers, so-called Beowulf machines. This combination of hardware and software enables us to simulate broadband seismograms without intrinsic restrictions on the level of heterogeneity or the frequency content.
Using large-scale computers such as parallel machines, we can simulate the propagation of seismic waves in complex three-dimensional geological structures, and also take into account complex effects such as anisotropy, attenuation, self-gravitation and the rotation of the Earth. By performing such very high-resolution numerical simulations, we plan to produce maps of ground motion during earthquakes occurring in densely populated regions. Such maps can be particularly useful in the context of seismic risk assessment.
We also plan to go to the next level in terms of numerical simulation of seismic wave propagation on parallel computers by taking advantage of grids of computers, i.e. geographically distributed clusters of very large computers (called "GRIDS") that can be seen and used as an equivalent parallel machine of very large size. Using such large machines will allow us to model seismic wave propagation in complex three-dimensional structures at very high resolution.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-12
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