» Return to Regional

Click here to view ground motion movie Figure: Spectral-element simulation of the September 3, 2002 Yorba Linda, California Earthquake.

We use the spectral-element method for regional scale problems to model wave propagation at high frequencies and for complex structures. We are collaborating with Professor John Shaw and Christiane Stidham of Harvard University in the construction of a detailed seismological model of the Los Angeles basin. We use the model developed by Shaw's group for numerical simulations of wave propagation within the basin. (http://sger5.harvard.edu)

Harvard Los Angeles Basin Model: Contours show the depth-to-basement in the Los Angeles area. The deepest part of the basin has roughly 10 km of sediments.

---

East-West Cross-section through the Los Angeles, California Basin Mesh

 

Mesh over the San Gabriel Mountains