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Earthquake Source Characterization Using 3D Numerical Modeling

Citation

Hjörleifsdóttir, Vala (2007) Earthquake Source Characterization Using 3D Numerical Modeling. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/M17S-7W40. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03212007-170259

Abstract

To understand the physics of earthquakes, it is important to know what happens during individual events. Dissembling the information about the source process from the recorded seismograms is a difficult and non-unique process, as there are severe trade-offs between many of the source parameters. In this thesis we attempt to add information from frequencies not used during the initial modeling of individual events to put more constraints on the source process, to learn about specific source parameters important to the physics of earthquakes. We model earthquakes using a spectral element method for wave-propagation that accurately accounts for the Earth's 3D elastic structure. We study the rupture speed of the 2001 Kunlun, China earthquake, the continuity of slip during the 1998 Balleny Islands event and the duration of slip during the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman, Indonesia earthquake. Finally, we explore the feasibility of using adjoint methods to learn about the earthquake source.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Balleny Islands; Bhuj; Kokoxilli; Kunlun; Sumatra
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Geophysics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Tromp, Jeroen
Thesis Committee:
  • Simons, Mark (chair)
  • Helmberger, Donald V.
  • Tromp, Jeroen
  • Clayton, Robert W.
Defense Date:13 March 2007
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-03212007-170259
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03212007-170259
DOI:10.7907/M17S-7W40
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Hjörleifsdóttir, Vala0000-0003-3275-108X
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1043
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:02 Apr 2007
Last Modified:12 Feb 2020 19:30

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