Virtual Lower Rhine Embayement: Physics-based numerical simulation of earthquake ruptures and seismic cycles

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Sebastian Hainzl
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 68175803

Both empirical observations and simulations indicate that earthquake faults interact with each other and hence earthquakes cannot be treated as individual independent events. However, this is still largely ignored in standard seismic hazard calculations. The proposed work will aim at understanding the earthquake interactions within fault networks in order to improve seismic hazard estimations. For the test region Lower Rhine Embayment (LRE), Germany, we will perform a comprehensive analysis of seismic hazard assessment based on an adapted physics-based model laboratory “Virtual LRE”. For that, we want to adapt quasi-dynamic earthquake models developed for California to the geometrical configuration in LRE based on a recent fault model for this region. Our goal is to characterize the spatio-temporal variability of seismicity and the complexity of rupture histories and incorporate them into practical calculations of hazard maps.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Klaus-Günter Hinzen; Professor Dr. Gert Zöller