Petascale Cyberfacility for Physics-Based Seismic Hazard Analysis (PetaSHA)

SCEC’s special project titled “A Petascale Cyberfacility for Physics-based Seismic Hazard Analysis” (PetaSHA) aims to develop and apply physics-based predictive models to improve the practice of seismic hazard analysis. This project will utilize numerical modeling techniques and high performance computing to implement a computation-based approach to SHA. Three scientific initiative areas have been identified for this project to help to guide the scientific research. The PetaSHA initiative areas are: (1) development of techniques to support higher frequencies waveform simulations including deterministic and stochastic approaches; (2) development of dynamic rupture simulations that include additional complexity including nonplanar faults, a variety of friction-based behaviors, and higher inner /outer scale ratios (e.g. (fault plane mesh dimension) / (simulation volume dimension)); and (3) physics-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis including probabilistic seismic hazard curves using 3D waveform modeling. All of these modeling efforts must be accompanied by verification and validation efforts. Development of new techniques that support the verification and validation of SCEC PetaSHA modeling efforts are encouraged.

The SCEC PetaSHA modeling efforts address several of the SCEC3 objectives. Development of new verification and validation techniques (B4) are common to each of the PetaSHA initiative areas. Research activities related to the improved understanding and modeling of rupture 18 complexity (A8, B1) support the PetaSHA initiatives. In addition, research into the upper frequency bounds on deterministic ground motion predictions (B2, B3) are SCEC3 science objectives that are important work areas in the PetaSHA Project.