People in the Project: Dr Avinash Gupta
Role in Ngā Ngaru Wakapuke
Avi is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury.
His research focuses on earthquake sequences and seismic hazards in central New Zealand, particularly in the transition zone from Pacific Plate subduction to the Alpine Fault continental collision. This region is geologically complex and seismically active, making it an essential area of study for understanding earthquake dynamics and associated hazards.
He is driven by a curiosity about the Earth’s secrets and the unpredictable nature of tectonics. His goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practical application, contributing to global efforts in disaster preparedness and resilience.
Research background
He completed his PhD at École Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University, India, where he specialized in simulating rupture propagation at bi-material interfaces using the spectral boundary integral equation method (BIEM). His PhD research, titled Analytical and Numerical Studies of the Mechanics of Interface Failure, investigated how frictional properties and interface thickness influence fault stability and rupture dynamics, contributing significantly to advancing multiscale modeling in fault reactivation.
Prior to joining the University of Canterbury, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at ISTerre, University of Grenoble-Alpes, France, working on the SEISMAZE project. He integrated seismic observations with numerical models to study seismic tremors and slow slips, focusing on fault slip cycles under quasi-dynamic conditions. This experience strengthened his expertise in high-performance computing and managing complex datasets, both of which are critical for his ongoing research.
Current research
Avi is using advanced computational models and simulations, to investigate earthquake behavior and fault interactions. These include modeling single earthquakes and earthquake sequences using quasi-static and dynamic simulators, such as RSQSim, MCQsim, and Tandem. These simulation tools allow him to model fault slip, seismic events, and their interactions across different fault systems, providing insights into how large earthquakes on one fault can influence subsequent events on neighboring faults.
Through these simulations, he aims to improve the forecasting of earthquake sequences and enhance seismic risk assessments. Additionally, he integrates geophysical data, including seismic, geodetic, and geological observations, to develop more accurate models of seismic activity. This multidisciplinary approach is crucial for predicting how earthquakes evolve over time and for building resilience to future seismic events in New Zealand and other tectonically active regions.
Publications
Danzi, L., Orchiston, C., Higham, J., & Baggio, R. (2024). Tourism Disaster Management: A Social Network Analysis of Nature-based Destinations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Travel Research, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875241268623
Danzi, L., Orchiston, C., Higham, J., Baggio, R., (2024). Formation and Development of Tourism Disaster Management Networks: From Preparedness to Response. Manuscript submitted for publication (Under review) to the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
Danzi, L., Orchiston, C., Higham (2024). Effectiveness and Sustainability of Collaborative Networks in Tourism Disaster Management. Manuscript submitted for publication (Under review) to the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Danzi, L., Figini, P. (2022). The Tourism Economics of Marginal and Mature Mountains. The Case of the Regional Park of Corno alle Scale (Apennines), Italy. Current Issues in Tourism, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2038092
Figini, P., Danzi, L. (2020). Towards the regeneration of the Apennines in the Emilia and Tuscany regions: Tourism, sustainability and territorial development in the Regional Park of Corno alle Scale. 10.13140/RG.2.2.30401.99686