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The spectral-element method, Beowulf computing, and global seismology.

Dimitri Komatitsch¹, Jeroen Ritsema, Jeroen Tromp

¹Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. komatits@gps.caltech.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|December 3, 2002

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Accurate seismic wave propagation modeling is now possible using the spectral-element method. This approach, utilizing Beowulf clusters, simulates broadband seismograms with detailed Earth heterogeneity.

Area of Science:

Geophysics
Computational Seismology

Background:

Accurate modeling of seismic wave propagation is crucial for understanding Earth's structure.
Previous methods faced limitations in handling complex Earth heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and validate the spectral-element method for seismic wave propagation.
To demonstrate the capability of simulating broadband seismograms with high fidelity.

Main Methods:

Implementation of the spectral-element method on Beowulf clusters (personal computer clusters).
Incorporation of three-dimensional variations in seismic wave velocity, density, and crustal thickness.
Simulation of seismic wave propagation through heterogeneous Earth models.

Main Results:

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Accurate modeling of seismic wave propagation is achieved.
Broadband seismograms can be simulated without intrinsic restrictions on heterogeneity.
The method effectively handles variations in seismic velocity, density, and crustal thickness.

Conclusions:

The spectral-element method offers a powerful tool for seismic wave propagation studies.
Cost-effective hardware (Beowulf machines) enables advanced geophysical simulations.
This technique advances our ability to model seismic phenomena in complex Earth structures.