Uncovering Source Properties of Realistically Complex Microearthquakes: Links between Dynamic Models and Observations(2/2)

Linking dynamic models and seismic observations to understand source properties of an earthquake is the next generation for the earthquake source studies. Such studies are especially important because that the source assumptions for the state-of-the-art seismological approaches are relatively simple and may bias our understanding of the source properties. Dynamic modeling can generate more realistic and complex source models spontaneously based on laboratory-motivated constitutive laws and investigate rupture behaviors of earthquakes, an area of rapid progress in the past two decades. Unfortunately, this promising research area is not well-represented in Taiwan at the moment. Here, we propose to establish a combined modeling and observational research program for earthquake source studies. Using dynamic modeling, we will build a library of high-resolution, physically realistic complex sources for microearthquakes. A high-performance computing cluster will be needed for this ambitious undertaking. Based on the library, we propose to evaluate and improve the available state-of-the-art approaches for inferring earthquake source properties from seismic data, including the spectral fitting methods and the second moment approach. Our ultimate goal is to identify and develop suitable approaches for determining source properties of realistically complex sources. Furthermore, according to the characteristics of the complex sources generated in this study, we can further investigate the process of the earthquake rupture growth, which is an important issue for seismic hazard assessment and catastrophe prevention.