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Research Interest:
Earthquake Source Physics, High-performance computing, Inversion methods, Data-assimulations
Current Institute, Lab, and Projects:
MTMOD: Megathrust Modelling Framework | Prof. Wenyuan Fan Webpage | Prof. Alice-Agnes Gabriel Webpage
Previous Lab:
CUHK Seismology Lab
Slip-rate evolution of the simulated rupture with multiple rupture reactivations and depth-dependent rupture style.
Complex rupture dynamics of megathrust earthquakes
Complex rupture dynamics of megathrust earthquakes
2024 SCEC Dynamic Rupture Workshop Lightning Talk: Link
Our preprint is out!
Wong, J. W. C., Gabriel, A. A., & Fan, W. (2025). Dynamic restrengthening and stress heterogeneity explain megathrust earthquake complexity. arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.08973.
Large megathrust earthquakes often show complex rupture evolution. In this study, we demonstrate that the dynamic evolution of friction and stress governs rupture renucleation, depth-dependent propagation, and arrest without requiring frictional asperities. Our model spontaneously reproduces multiple rupture fronts, depth-dependent rupture propagation, large trench slip, and realistic moment release of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. The dynamic features explain the contrasting back-projection and finite-fault slip inversion results on large megathrust earthquakes.
Quantifying finite-fault slip models variability and data sensitivity
Quantifying finite-fault slip models variability and data sensitivity
Wong, J. W. C., Fan, W., & Gabriel, A.-A. (2024). A quantitative comparison and validation of finite-fault models: The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 129, e2024JB029212. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB029212
Imagining the slip pattern of an earthquake is fundamental in understanding what, how, and why an earthquake occurs. However, inversion from data is inherently challenging due to non-uniqueness, sparse and diverse types of observations, and differences in parameterizing fault geometry and elastic structure. In this study, we systematically evaluate the variability of the 32 finite-fault slip models of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake and the sensitivity of different datasets on diverse slip features.
32 finite-fault slip distributions of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake.
Induced earthquakes
Induced earthquakes
Hydraulic fracturing (HF) is a new way to extract hydrocarbons for our energy-demanding society. However, there have been some reports of earthquake hazards in spatial and temporal proximity to unconventional gas extraction.
One of the largest HF-related events occurred in the Sichuan Basin, China, with multiple events above magnitude 5. To address the mechanism of the inducing earthquake by anthropogenic activities, we analyzed the inducing mechanism of the earthquake, in particular the Weiyuan shale gas field, located at the center of the Sichuan Basin. A high-resolution spatial-temporal evolution of the seismicity is constructed using the machine learning method, and their patterns show multiple pathways, including pore-pressure migration, that are induced from the HF activities.
Wong, W. C. J., Zi, J., Yang, H., & Su, J. (2021). Spatial-temporal Evolution of Injection-Induced Earthquakes in Weiyuan Area by Machine-Learning Phase Picker and Waveform Cross-correlation. Earth and Planetary Physics. http://doi.org/10.26464/epp2021055
Hong Kong Observatory Seismological Analysis System
Hong Kong Observatory Seismological Analysis System
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