為了進一步整合各種不同的地球物理及地質的資料為動態地殼變形模型的分析所用，我們將必須從簡單的二維模型往三維的模型邁進。我們的計畫即為發展一套保有基本的變形機制且能解釋現在的觀測現象的簡單三維模型。我們目前已經有一些成果，如利用三維週期地震地殼變形模型對東台灣的活躍大地構造的分析(Huang et al. 2010, JGR)，當然在這之前已有兩維的模型分析結果(Johnson et al. 2005, JGR)。我們的企圖其實是想將這個三維的模型擴展到整個台灣，然而這並不是件簡易的事。因此，我們將並行地發展符合實際地質架構的二維模型，藉以對我們即將發展的三維模型的簡化假設，先行作評估。可以理解地，二維模型的地表變形分析，對考慮側向的異質性，包括斷層兩側的地殼厚度和力學性質的差異，及地函的流變性質等，會相較三維模型簡單許多。我們也已循序漸進地發展了二維的模型，目前我們已經利用邊界元素法建立適合走向滑移斷層的週期地震地殼變形模型。這個模型可以用來分析跨斷層兩側具不同厚度及剛性強度的地殼及下伏一黏彈性的地函對地表變形的影響。我們發現前人的模型中忽略下伏的黏彈性地函，將可能顯著的誇大如San Andreas fault 的Carrizo 段及 Great Sumatra fault 的Renun 段的地表不對稱變形。同時我們也利用這個模型去探討西藏高原底下是否可能存在著一個低黏滯度的下部地殼。To integrate the various geophysical and geologic data into dynamic models of crustal deformation, we must move beyond the simpler 2D models and develop 3D models. Our plan is to develop the simplest possible 3D models while still retaining the essential deformation mechanisms necessary to explain the observations. We have completed a study on active tectonics of eastern Taiwan using earthquake cycle models of 3D (Huang et al. 2010, JGR). We intend to extend the model for the entire Taiwan Island; however, it is not a trivial matter. To guide the development of the 3D models and the integration of multiple data types into the analysis, we propose the parallel development of more sophisticated 2D models to investigate the effect of various simplifying assumptions on the model results. The justification for continued development of 2D models is that it is much easier to incorporate features such as lateral variations in rheology and crustal thickness in 2D. We have used boundary element methods to develop earthquake cycle models consisting of faulting in an elastic plate with possibly different thickness and rigidity on either side of the fault overlying a viscoelastic substrate. We show that isolate plate models that neglect the coupling of the plate to the underlying substrate might significantly overpredict the asymmetry in deformation across the Carrizo segment of the San Andreas fault and the Renun segment of the Sumatra fault. We also show a low-viscosity channel that exists within lower crust could significantly contribute to the asymmetry. We examine the possibility of the existence of low-viscosity lower crust (a channel) in the Tibetan plateau which has been debated. 研究期間：10001 ~ 10107
