2D Outer-Rise Hydration Using Poroelasticity#

The files are in the directory examples/poroelastic-outerrise-2d. The files and directories for this set of examples includes:

README.md:

README file containing a brief description of the various examples.

*.cfg:

PyLith parameter files.

generate_gmsh.py:

Python script to generate mesh using Gmsh.

*.msh:

Gmsh mesh files generated by Gmsh.

*.spatialdb:

Spatial database filesFiles associated with the spatial databases.

output:

Directory containing simulation output. It is created automatically when running the simulations.

Overview#

This example examines how bending stresses and permeability structure influence the hydration state of a slab of oceanic lithosphere in the outer-rise of a subduction zone. The poroelastic slab is deformed based on bathymetry along a trench-orthogonal transect of the Central-American subduction system. Enhanced permeability is introduced in the outer-rise to simulate the effect of normal faulting.

Step 1:

Underformed lithosphere with a uniform fluid-pressure applied to the top-boundary

Step 2:

Lithosphere is deformed to the current bathymetry over 0.3 Myr.

Step 3:

Lithosphere is deformed to the current bathymetry over 0.3 Myr with enhanced permeability from outer-rise faults.

Diagram of geometry for poroelastic-outerrise-2d.

Fig. 166 Diagram of geometry used for poroelastic-outerrise-2d. The domain extends from 0 km to +150 km in the x direction and from -30 km to 0 km in the y direction. We refer to the domain boundaries using the names shown in the diagram.#

Example Workflow#