Numerical Modeling

Physical and numerical modeling of complex mechanisms enable a deeper understanding of natural phenomena like earthquakes and landslides. The Department of Geophysics focuses on the physical description of coupled hydro-electro-thermal and mechanical processes and develops its own numerical tools as well as contributes to cutting-edge open-source projects. Emphasize is set on a continuum-mechanical description of relevant processes. The numerical methods used are manifold, mainly based on a discretization with finite differences or finite elements. Our models are used for stability analysis as well as run-out modeling for landslides (e.g. www.avaflow.org); for reproduction of fluid-triggered seismicity on lab and tectonic scale; and for estimating heat transfer in partially saturated, fractured porous rock masses in volcanic, hydro-thermal or geothermal systems.