Earthquakes frequently claim hundreds of lives and cause major damage to cities and infrastructures. More recent large earthquakes (e.g., M 8.8 in Chile, 2010; M 9.1 in Japan, 2011; M7.8 and M7.7 in Turkey, 2023) as well as moderate-size devastating events (M 6.3 in New Zealand, 2010) are forceful reminders
that earthquakes cannot be predicted. However, we can prepare for the expected shaking levels and potential secondary effects (tsunamis, landslides, liquefaction) by investigating the physics of earthquake rupture, by studying seismic wave propagation
in the Earth's crust, and by finding innovative methods to quantify the seismic hazard.
The CES-group at KAUST conducts research to study earthquake source physics and ground-motion generation, with the goal to gain insight into
earthquake properties and to create new tools for seismic-shaking estimation for earthquake-engineering applications. We use seismic data to image the kinematic rupture process during earthquakes, and perform forward simulations to understand the
dynamcis of the rupture process under various initial conditions. We calculate the radiated seismic wavefield emitted by the space-time varying rupture process, and investigate seismic wave scattering in heterogeneous Earth crust. We further simulate long sequences of earthquakes via multi-cycle earthquake rupture simulations to provide earthquake rupture forecasts for seismic hazard assessment. We are also interested
in retrieving accurate information about Earth structure in Saudi Arabia in order to understand better the seismo-tectonics and geo-dynamics of the Arabian Plate, and to improve earthquake locations and thus seismic monitoring capabilities and seismic
hazard calculations in the region.
Research Topics
Dynamic earthquake rupture simulations (e.g., using SeisSol) are physics-based numerical models that simulate the entire earthquake process (rupture initiation, propagation, arrest) and the resulting ground shaking. Coupling the mechanics of faulting (earthquake source processes) with seismic wave propagation (path and site processes) enables us to better understand past events -their rupture dynamics and fault slip- and to assess future hazards.
Earthquake cycle simulations are physics-based numerical models, designed to replicate the long-term behavior of fault systems over many earthquake cycles. These simulations incorporate complex physical processes to self-consistently model inter-, co-, and post-seismic period. By generating extensive, synthetic earthquake catalogs, we can study complex phenomena that are difficult to observe in the limited historical and instrumental records (e.g., recurrence intervals, multi-segment rupture).
Over the years, the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been primarily dependent on fossil-fuel-based energy sources to meet energy and electricity demand. In this regard, in our research group, we explore and model the potential of low-to-medium geothermal energy extraction and utilization in KSA for heating and cooling, water desalination and power generation. We focus our research on the hydrothermal resources in the high heat-flow Red Sea rift basin.
Kinematic source inversion determines an earthquake's rupture process (e.g. slip distribution, velocity, and timing) by fitting observed seismic and geodetic data to a physical model, essentially solving the "inverse problem" of figuring out the source from its effects, often using advanced techniques (e.g., BEAT software) to handle this ill-posed problem. It reconstructs the spatio-temporal evolution of slip on a fault, helping understand earthquake physics and improve tsunami forecasting.
Observational seismology is the data-driven science of using seismic waves (from earthquakes, volcanoes, or human activity) detected by seismometers to understand Earth's structure, tectonic processes, and earthquake source physics, helping to monitor hazards like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It involves collecting data (seismograms) from networks of instruments, analyzing wave arrival times and characteristics, and interpreting this information to map subsurface structures and dynamics.
Seismic and tsunami hazard assessment evaluates the probability and impact of earthquake-induced ground shaking and subsequent tsunamis, crucial for coastal resilience. These studies typically integrate historical data, tectonic studies, instrumental seismology, and numerical modeling to assess earthquake shaking intensities and tsunami inundation potential -providing stakeholders with the necessary information to increase hazard resilience. Our group focusses on the numerical modeling aspects.