GPU-Based Discrete Element Modeling of Geological Faults

Abstract

In this paper, we present an algorithm for numerical simulation of the tectonic movements leading to the formation of geological faults. We use the discrete element method, so that the media are presented as an agglomeration of elastic, visco-elastic, or elasto-plastic interacting particles. This approach can naturally handle finite deformations and can account for the structural discontinuities is the Earth crust. We implement the algorithm using CUDA technology to simulate single statistical realization of the model, whereas MPI is used to parallelize with respect to different statistical realizations. Obtained numerical results show that for low dip angles of the tectonic displacements relatively narrow faults form, whereas high dip angles of the tectonic displacements lead to a wide V-shaped deformation zones.