The QuakeSim Project: Numerical Simulations for Active Tectonic Processes Andrea Donnellan Jay Parker Greg Lyzenga Robert Granat Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 9 1 109 Geoffrey Fox Marlon Pierce Indiana University 501 N. Morton, Suite 224 Bloomington, IN 47404 John Rundle University of California Davis, CA 95616 Dennis McLeod University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90089 Lisa Grant University of California Irvine, CA 92697 Terry Tullis Box 1846 Brown University Providence, RI 029 12 Abstract-In order to develop a solid earth science framework for understanding and studying of active tectonic and earthquake processes, this task develops simulation and analysis tools to study the physics of earthquakes using state-of-the-art modeling, data manipulation, and pattern recognition technologies. We develop clearly defined accessible data formats and code protocols as inputs to the simulations. These are adapted to high-performance computers because the solid earth system is extremely complex and nonlinear resulting in computationally intensive problems with millions of unknowns. With these tools it will be possible to construct the more complex models and simulations necessary to develop hazard assessment systems critical for reducing future lossesfrom major earthquakes. deformation, and tectonics communities for developing an understanding of active tectonic and earthquake processes. One of the most critical aspects of our system is supporting interoperability given the heterogeneous nature of data sources as well as the variety of application programs, tools, and simulation packages that must operate with data from our system. Interoperability is being implemented by using distributed object technology combined with development of object API's that conform to emerging standards. The full objective over this three-year program is to produce a system to fully model earthquake-related data. Components of this system include: A database system for handling both real and simulated data I. INTRODUCTION Fully three-dimensional finite element code (FEM) with an adaptive mesh generator capable We are building a new Problem Solving Environment (QuakeSim) for use by the seismological, crustal