The project represents a grand scientific challenge because of the complexity of phenomena and range of scales from microscopic to global involved in the earthquake generation process. It is a coordinated international effort linking complementary nationally based programs, centres and research teams. Events and Workshop Proceedings Proceedings of ACES workshops containing papers, session summaries and overviews of national programs are available on-line as downloadable PDF files or in book form. Orders for book versions can be placed with the Administrator, ACES Executive Office . Full information on workshop organisation and participants is available on workshop home pages.
Earthquakes are one of the most costly and deadly natural disasters.
This has resulted in more than 800,000 deaths in APEC member economies of the approximately 1.3 million deaths associated with earthquakes this century. The scientific method relies on development of a theoretical framework or simulation model describing nature. While no such model exists for the complete earthquake generation process, conceptual developments in understanding earthquake physics, numerical simulation methodology and advances in High Performance Computing offer the possibility to develop such models. The models would provide powerful new tools for studying earthquake precursory phenomena and the earthquake cycle. They would have direct application to earthquake hazard studies and earthquake engineering, and the potential to yield spin-offs in sectors such as mining, geophysical exploration, high performance computing, material science, engineering and geotechnical.