Development of New Features for the PyLith Finite Element Code to Enable Innovative Research In Multiple Earthquake Cycle Simulations

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Funding from this grant will support a two-year effort to develop code enhancements to the existing PyLith version 1.0 crustal dynamics modeling package. PyLith is currently maintained and supported through the NSF/EAR supported Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics (CIG) facility but this support addresses code enhancements not currently targeted by CIG for future development. Enhancements will include: 1) coupling of quasi-static and dynamic solutions to allow for complete simulation of the earthquake cycle, including the dynamic rupture process; 2) development of nonlinear solvers to enable simulation of realistic crustal material behavior (e.g., viscoelastic, elastoplastic, elasto-viscoplastic); 3) automatic computation of gravitational prestresses; and 4) development of the capability to use a spherical mesh finite element framework for modeling the dynamics of large spatial areas. The work will involve no-cost collaborations with CIG funded personnel (Matt Knepley, Argonne National Lab), the USGS (Brad Aagaard) and a Caltech Ph.D. student. The code developments will be open-source and maintained in the CIG repository.