Overview

Advances in geodetic, seismic, and geological observations now capture fault slip with increasing detail, from slow transient deformation to fluid driven processes and fault zone complexity. However, observations alone cannot explain the underlying physical processes that govern the seismic cycle. Researchers use physics-based models to translate multi-scale and interdisciplinary observational datasets into new scientific insight and improved seismic hazard assessment. Sequences of Earthquakes and Aseismic Slip (SEAS) simulations provide one such bridge and increasingly rely on open-source software and high-performance computing (HPC).

In this SCEC-funded workshop, we will bring together 30 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career scientists for a science-driven, hands-on program on earthquake-cycle physics and SEAS modeling. Invited speakers Brittany Erickson (University of Oregon), So Ozawa (Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo), Pierre Romanet (GéoAzur, France) and Tom Heaton (Caltech) and participant presenters will highlight new observations of the seismic cycle and their integration into physics-based models, recent advances of SEAS simulations, and community efforts focused on open-source software and code validation. Participants will then translate these concepts into practice through hands-on training using Tandem, an open-source HPC SEAS code for modeling earthquake cycles with realistic fault geometry, material heterogeneity, and frictional behavior. They will learn to design their own simulations, generate meshes using the open-source software Gmsh and run models on laptops and the SDSC supercomputer Expanse via the Science Gateway Quakeworx. We will also discuss visualization and interpretation of SEAS outputs, equipping participants for the future use of SEAS simulations in their own research.

The workshop will take place in La Jolla, California, at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Participants will stay on the main UC San Diego campus in double-occupancy rooms and will take a short shuttle to Scripps each day. Food and accommodation will be provided for selected participants, and limited travel support may be available.

The program will begin Monday after lunch (1:30 pm), June 22, and conclude on Wednesday, June 24 late afternoon. Lodging and meals will be provided from Monday lunch through Thursday morning. Participants can fly into San Diego International Airport, which is approximately a 20–30 minute drive from the UC San Diego campus. Participants are expected to attend the full duration of the workshop. Online participation will be available on the first day.

We encourage applications from anyone interested in earthquakes, slow slip events, the physics of seismic cycles and SEAS simulations and are motivated to develop computational and numerical modeling skills. The workshop is especially well-suited for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with an interest in earthquake physics, geodesy, seismology, geodynamics, or related fields. Prior experience with high-performance computing is not required, but a willingness to engage with computational tools is important.

Computing Requirements: A laptop with the following specifications is required to participate in the workshop:

• macOS: Version 14 or higher
• Windows: Windows 11
• Linux: An up-to-date distribution (e.g., Ubuntu or Fedora)
• Memory (RAM): 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)