SCEC Award Number 25312 View PDF
Proposal Category Collaborative Research Project (Multiple Investigators / Institutions)
Proposal Title Infrastructure Enhancements to the Community Rheology Model and its Explorer
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
Laurent Montesi University of Maryland Andreas Plesch Harvard University John Shaw Harvard University
SCEC Milestones A1-1, A1-2, A3-6, B3-1, C1-1 SCEC Groups CEM, RC, SDOT
Report Due Date 03/15/2026 Date Report Submitted 05/06/2026
Project Abstract
 The expansion of the geographical scope of SCEC to the whole of California provides an opportunity to re-examine the general characteristics of these models. This project aims to expand the information provided by the Community Rheology Model (CRM) and improve the functionality of its Explorer. All the information currently in the CRM is linked to the rock volumes that constitute SCEC’s Geological Framework (GFM.) However, earthquakes take place on faults, which are surfaces embedded in or at the edges of GFM blocks. To make the CRM useful for seismic cycle and stress transfer calculations, we will identify the surfaces that bound GFM blocks, assign rheological parameters linked to the brittle or ductile rheology of these surfaces, and link these surfaces with relevant objects in the Community Fault Model (CFM.) Finally, we will improve the CRM Explorer by adding tools that generate vertical and horizontal sections to better express the three-dimensional aspect of the model. We will also improve the information that can be visualized through the Explorer: instead of being simply color-coded by GFM block ID, the redesigned Explorer will be able to display mineral or rheological information, including effective viscosity, calculated based on the user’s selection.
SCEC Community Models Used Community Rheology Model (CRM), Community Fault Model (CFM)
Usage Description The project uses and modifies GFM tri-surfaces to generate surfaces for the blocks that constitute theGFM and CRM
Intellectual Merit This research enables a better comprehension of the fault network in California, its interconnectivity, and relation to lithotectonic provinces.
Broader Impacts The project enables manipulation and visualization of CFM and derived surfaces in an open-source environment, opening the door to education and training opportunities
Project Participants Laurent Montesi, University of Maryland
Andreas Plesch, Harvard University
John Shaw, Harvard University
Exemplary Figure Figure 1: The Garlock Fault meets the San Andreas Fault Carrizo segment (CRRZ) at the Western end of the Mojave blocks. To represent this outline, it was first necessary to cut CRRZ into a northern and southern portion. The cut is defined as projection of the western edge of the Garlock segment unto CRRZ. A new surface had to be added to Garlock to fill the gap between these surfaces, forming a new “MergeGarlock” surface. The Mojave boundary, shown as magnified semitransparent surface offset from its actual location, is the junction between the southern part of CRRZ and the MergeGarlock surface.
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