Non linear numerical modeling of tectonic plate for understanding crustal deformation and stress accumulation at plate junctions

Abstract

Earthquakes and crustal deformations are well observed and recorded all over the world. newlineGeological, geodesy and geodetics studies have been on pivotal to understand crustal newlinedeformations and to pridict earthquakes. Many plate tectonic models have been proposed describing interaction types. Experimental, analytical numerical models are being newlinedeveloped to understand the whole tectonic process. newlineIndian tectonic plate is experiencing one of the most dramatic crustal deformations by newlineforming Himalayas due to collision between Indian plate and Eurasian plate. The convergence rate is making the whole region including peninsular India seismically very newlineactive leading to minor to great earthquakes. Indian tectonic plate boundary is undergoing continental-continental plate collision in the northern part, oceanic-continental newlineplates subduction in the eastern part, oceanic-oceanic plates divergence in the southern newlinepart and oceanic-continental plates transform in the western part. Over all, all kinds of newlineplates interactions and their affects are seen in and around Indian tectonic plate. newlineWith increasing computing power over the last few decades several computer models newlinehave been developed, at the same time many numerical methods have also been under newlineenhancements. Out of many numerical methods, finite element method is used widely newlinefor all kinds of fields and applications because of its simplicity in understanding and newlinecoding. ABAQUS is finite element based commercially available software which has the newlinepower of modeling and simulating all kinds of complex physical problems with material newline(elastic, visco-elastic), geometry and boundary non-linearity (friction, contact analysis). newlineThe main objectives of this research is to simulate and understand the crustal deformations in general and apply the same to Indian tectonic plate and its boundaries. Starting newlinewith interaction between Indian and Eurasian plates, undersatnd subduction process for newlinegeneric scenerio for arc-subduction geometry and to claculate the energy released to during Assam great