Global Active Faults and Seismic Source Database

GEM Faulted Earth: Overview
The aim of the ‘Global Faulted Earth’ project is to build a global active fault and seismic source database with a common set of strategies, standards and formats, to be placed in the public domain.

The database will contain observational fault traces and fold axes that have slipped or deformed in the current tectonic regime, as well as inferred seismic sources and diffuse continental and oceanic deformation zones. In addition to continental faults, subduction zone slabs, oceanic transform faults, and mid-ocean ridges will be included, which will ensure that the greatest percentage of global earthquakes larger than magnitude 6.5 can be associated with faults in the database. This feature is of great importance so that GEM may test fault-based earthquake activity models against those based exclusively on smoothed seismicity. Observational uncertainties will be captured.

  • The database will permit flexible viewing for web browsers and GIS sytems, and will provide outputs compatible with spreadsheets, database systems, and the standards of the GEM Platform.
  • Initially, the database will be populated by transferring existing databases. For areas, where no previous data bases exist, the consortium will work at regional level to compile data.
  • The database will also be populated through a web portal for individual fault upload; this portal will be hosted at the OpenGEM website. Scientists will be encouraged to contribute to and update the database so that it captures the rapid expansion of knowledge and the ongoing debate about fault geometry, kinematics, and interaction.
  • The database format and the results of the compilation will be widely shared at scientific and research user fora, and through publications of articles.
  • The book, ‘Active Faults of the World,’ written by Robert S. Yeats and published by Cambridge University Press, will accompany the database and provide both a synoptic discussion and a deeper understanding of global active faults. The book and database will be closely coupled.
  • The project has a 24-month duration and a budget of 450.000 Euro.

Goals
In short, the main goals of the project are:

  • Develop a commonly accepted flexible database standard for faults and seismic sources
  • Create an accurate and uniform inventory of the world’s faults
  • Create a database of active faults and seismic sources
  • Study faults near mega cities more closely
  • Create tools that are easy to use and assist in uploading to the database, and in making the outcome as consistent as possible

Read more on the background and the various tasks of the project.

Consortium
There are two Principal Investigators, supervising all project activities: 

  • Kelvin Berryman [GNS, New Zealand]
  • Kerry Sieh [EOS/NTU, Singapore]

GNS acts as the administrative institution for the project and manages the budget and disburses funds. A Science Review Board provides quality assessment and review of fault data on a continuing basis, and furnish strategic guidance to the PI’s.

The consortium furthermore consists of regional faulting leaders, a regional faulting team and a fault reconnaissance team, and an IT team for development of the database.

 Progress and Presentations
Follow our progress through GEM Nexus; we appreciate your comments and suggestions. Find our group space here: www.nexus.globalquakemodel.org/gem-faulted-earth
Older presentations and events:


Contact
Annemarie Christophersen is the project manager of GEM Faulted Earth. She can be reached at: A.Christophersen[at]gns.cri.nz
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