Visualization From TeraShake 2.1 Earthquake Simulation

This dynamic rupture simulation calculates the slip ("fault surface slip") of the North American (tectonic) Plate and the Pacific (tectonic) Plate for a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the Southern California region. The vertical plane in the image shows the fault rupture (sliprate). The fault surface divides the map of Southern California into two parts. The colors on the surface of the vault show where the fault surface slip is occurring, as calculated by the dynamic rupture simulation. Colors on the map surface show earthquake waves propagating away from the fault and the ground velocities produced by the fault slip.
 
This visualization is from the TeraShake 2.1 simulation, a precursor to the ShakeOut earthquake wave propagation simulation that was performed in conjunction with the 2008 Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Drill (the largest in the country until 2008). The drill involved over 5,000 emergency responders and disaster recovery agents and the participation of over 5.5 million citizens. The simulations were used to assess and inform people on the potential hazards from a magnitude 7.8 scenario earthquake ("the Big One") in the region.
 
Credit: Visualization: Amit Chourasia, San Diego Supercomputer Center, UCSD; Simulation: Kim Olsen, Steve Day, Yifeng Cui, Jean Bernard Minster, David Okaya, Philip Maechling, Thomas Jordan, Southern California Earthquake Center, UCSD