Parallel Simulation of Seismic Wave Propagation

A dense seismic network of strong ground motion instruments in Japan allows a detailed characterization of regional wave propagation during destructive earthquakes. Steadily improving computer power associated with sophisticated parallel algorithms enables a large scale computer simulation of seismic waves in 3D heterogeneous structure. This is illustrated by the 2000 Tottori-ken Seibu earthquake, southwestern Japan. With the aid of assessing potential impact at urban cities expected for future earthquake scenarios (e.g. Nankai earthquake). A close link between strong motion seismology and high-performance computing technology becomes indispensable. The newly developing high performance parallel computer, Earth Simulator, would provide a key to realistic simulations of strong ground motion.