PyLith

Description

PyLith is an open-source finite-element code for dynamic and quasi-static simulations of crustal deformation, primarily earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Main page: https://geodynamics.org/resources/pylith
  • User Manual
  • Binary packages
  • Utility to build PyLith and all of its dependencies from source
• PyLith parameter viewer for viewing .json parameter files.
• PyLith Wiki: https://wiki.geodynamics.org/software:pylith:start
  • Archive of online tutorials
  • Hints, tips, tricks, etc
  • PyLith development plan
• Submit bug reports via GitHub issues.
• Post all questions to the PyLith category on the CIG Community Forum.

Features

• Quasi-static (implicit) and dynamic (explicit) time-stepping
• Cell types include triangles, quadrilaterals, hexahedra, and tetrahedra
• Linear elastic, linear and generalized Maxwell viscoelastic, power-law viscoelastic, and Drucker-Prager elastoplastic materials
• Infinitesimal and small strain elasticity formulations
• Fault interfaces using cohesive cells
  • Prescribed slip with multiple, potentially overlapping earthquake ruptures and aseismic creep
  • Spontaneous slip with slip-weakening friction and Dieterich rate- and state-friction fault constitutive models
• Time-dependent Dirichlet (displacement/velocity) boundary conditions
• Time-dependent Neumann (traction) boundary conditions
• Time-dependent point forces
• Absorbing boundary conditions
• Gravitational body forces
• VTK and HDF5/Xdmf output of solution, fault information, and state variables
• Templates for adding your own bulk rheologies, fault constitutive models, and interfacing with a custom seismic velocity model.
• User-friendly computation of static 3-D Green's functions

Release Notes

See CHANGES for a complete list of changes for each release.

Authors

• Brad Aagaard, Geologic Hazards Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, USA
• Matthew Knepley, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo, USA
• Charles Williams, Tectonophysics, GNS Science, New Zealand