README.md

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 Guide
  • 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

PyLith is continually being improved by a growing, collaborative, and inclusive community. It is primarily developed and maintained by:

• 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

A complete and growing list of the authors that have contributed over the years can be found at GitHub contributors.

Please see the User Guide for complete and acknowledgement and citation information.