SCEC Award Number 20071 View PDF
Proposal Category Collaborative Proposal (Data Gathering and Products)
Proposal Title Enhancements to the Velocity (CVM) and Geological Framework (GFM) Models to support the next generation community modeling efforts
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
John Shaw Harvard University Thomas Jordan University of Southern California
Other Participants Andreas Plesch
SCEC Priorities 1b, 3b, 4a SCEC Groups CXM, Seismology, Geology
Report Due Date 03/15/2021 Date Report Submitted 03/17/2021
Project Abstract
 This past year, we developed a series of new resources to support the next generation Community Velocity Modeling (CVM) effort, and to complete development of the first Geological Framework Model (GFM) to support the Community Rheology Modeling (CRM) project. For the CVM’s, we developed basin velocity representations as standalone components that can be incorporated into current and next generation regional models.

For the GFM, we developed topologically well-defined boundary representations of all blocks, enabling robust queries near fault boundaries. This ensures that model queries retrieve correct region descriptions and properties, which is of critical importance in using the GFM to define contrasts in rock and associated rheologic properties across major faults and other boundaries that are represented in the model. We also parameterized the first generation GFM with lithologic and thermal properties as defined by the Community Rheological Model (CRM) working group. Finally, we coordinated with SCEC IT group to support their development of UCVM-based tool (UCVM-GF) for accessing the GFM. This included provisioning of gridded model versions suitable for use in UCVM-GF, benchmarking UCVM-GF output, and supporting the development of enhancements to the software platform. Together, these efforts have led to the completion of the first generation GFM and its provision through the UCVM framework.
Intellectual Merit This research establishes new approaches to representing geologic structures in Community Models, including the defining of sedimentary basin velocity descriptions that can be used to develop next-generation Community Velocity Models (CVM’s). In addition, we collaborated in the development of the Geologic Framework Model (CFM), and the implementation of web-based tools to help users access and visualize model components.
Broader Impacts The new Community Model elements developed in this project serve a wide range of SCEC science activities, including those that promote improved earthquake hazard assessment.
Exemplary Figure Figure 2: Perspective views of CVM basin models. A: The Inner California Borderlands model, showing Vp for basin sediments and regional faults from the SCEC CFM used to define the basin extent. B: Views of individual sediment basin models.