Fully dynamic earthquake cycle simulations on a non-planar fault using the spectral boundary integral element method

One of the most suitable methods for modeling fully dynamic earthquake cycle simulations is the spectral boundary integral element method (sBIEM), which takes advantage of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to make a complex numerical dynamic rupture tractable. However, this method has the serious drawback of requiring a flat fault geometry due to the FFT approach. Here, we present an analytical formulation that extends the sBIEM to a mildly nonplanar fault. We start from a regularized boundary element method and apply a small-slope approximation of the fault geometry. Making this assumption, it is possible to show that the main effect of nonplanar fault geometry is to change the normal traction along the fault, which is controlled by the local curvature along the fault. We then convert this space–time boundary integral equation of the normal traction into a spectral-time formulation and incorporate this change in normal traction into the existing sBIEM methodology. This approach allows us to model fully dynamic seismic cycle simulations on nonplanar faults in a particularly efficient way. We then test this method against a regular BIEM for both rough-fault and seamount-fault geometries and demonstrate that this sBIEM maintains the scaling between the fault geometry and slip distribution.