3D printed faults?

Well, there is nothing more complicated than explaining to a non-expert how complicated the network of earthquake faults in California is, and how complicated fault networks are in general. However, if you put in some effort and give to people a 3D printed physical model, suddenly you receive a "landslide" of questions, and the process of learning has already started.

*Please read the related article published in Seismological Research Letters

**Please read article from the UC Riverside Magazine

Extracted from the AGU2017 abstract (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm17/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/294633)

As earth scientists, we face the challenge of how to explain and represent our work and achievements to the general public. Nowadays, this problem is partially alleviated by the use of modern visualization tools such as advanced scientific software (Paraview.org), high resolution monitors, elaborate video simulations, and even 3D Virtual Reality goggles. However, the ability to manipulate and examine a physical object in 3D is still an important tool to connect better with the public. For that reason, we are presenting a scaled 3D printed version of the complex network of earthquake faults active in California based on that used by the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast 3 (UCERF3) (Field et al., 2013). We start from the fault geometry in the UCERF3.1 deformation model files. These files contain information such as the coordinates of the surface traces of the faults, dip angle, and depth extent. The fault specified in the above files are triangulated at 1km resolution and exported as a facet (.fac) file. The facet file is later imported into the Trelis 15.1 mesh generator (csimsoft.com). We use Trelis to perform the following three operations: First, we scale down the model so that 100 mm corresponds to 100km. Second, we “thicken” the walls of the faults; wall thickness of at least 1mm is necessary in 3D printing. We thicken fault geometry by 1mm on each side of the faults for a total of 2mm thickness. Third, we break down the model into parts that will fit the printing bed size (~25 x 20mm). Finally, each part is exported in stereolithography format (.stl). For our project, we are using the 3D printing facility within the Creat’R Lab in the UC Riverside Orbach Science Library. The 3D printer is a MakerBot Replicator Desktop, 5th Generation. The resolution of print is 0.2mm (Standard quality). The printing material is the MakerBot PLA Filament, 1.75 mm diameter, large Spool, green. The most complex part of the display model requires approximately 17 hours to print. After assembly, the length of the display is ~1.4m. From our initial effort in printing and handling of the 3D printed faults, we conclude that a physical, 3D-printed model is very efficient in eliminating common misconceptions that nonscientists have about earthquake faults, particularly their geometry, extension and orientation in space.

SCEC_2018_poster_EDU.pdf

Poster from the SCEC 2018 Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA

Poster_AGU2017_3D_Printing_final.compressed.pdf

Poster and physical display presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2017 Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

3D PRINTING LARGE DISPLAYS OF EARTHQUAKE FAULTS: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND REWARDS (GSA 2020 Invited Presentation)

https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2020AM/webprogram/Paper359620.html

65-4.mp4

3D Printed New Madrid Seismic Zone (New May 2024): 4 foot-long model with seismicity and faults!

(The 3D printed "seismicity" is based on a refined catalog of ~4000 events [Zhang et al., 2022] published in a JGR paper by our CERI former student, Yixin Zhang)

3D Printed SCEC Community Fault Model (New August 2023!)

3D Printing of New Zealand's Fault System

(AGU2019 abstract)

The use of 3D printing has proved to be an important tool in the demystification of complex fault systems, and to dispel common misconceptions regarding earthquake faults (see Kyriakopoulos, 2019, Seismological Research Letters). When 3D printed, a complicated system of earthquake faults becomes immediately available for the public to physically manipulate and explore. During the last two years, our experience with a 3D printed model of the most major California faults has shown the beneficial effects of such technology, especially when used to educate the general public. The possibility to 3D print fault systems is of course not limited to the California faults, but could be significantly extended if we consider available databases that describe fault systems outside the US. One good example is the New Zealand fault database that includes 536 fault sources, and is available to download at www.gns.cri.nz. In this work we present a scaled 3D version of the New Zealand fault system. We start from the original files containing useful information for the 3D representation of the fault segments, such as the coordinates of the fault trace, dip angle and depth extend. The faults specified in the New Zealand fault database are triangulated at 1km resolution and saved as facet (.fac) files. After this first step, the faults are imported in Trelis and subsequently exported in a format ready to 3D print with the Makerbor Replicator Desktop 3D. Our final goal is to complete a model that includes all the faults in the database and use it to extend our current educational experience based on the California faults.

The fault database and related citations are available at: https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Our-Science/Natural-Hazards-and-Risks/Earthquakes/Earthquake-Forecast-and-Hazard-Modelling/2010-National-Seismic-Hazard-Model