Yajing Liu - Professor of Earthquake Seismology

I am a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill University, and a Canada Research Chair in Earthquake Seismology. My work to date has focused on earthquake and slow slip source processes, fault mechanical behavior and strength evolution related to earthquakes of both natural and anthropogenic origins. I combine geophysical observations with numerical modeling, with the aim to promote the transition from conceptual understanding towards quantitative prediction of earthquakes and hazard assessment. I welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students and postdocs interested in earthquake seismology research.

News & Highlights

Research Areas

Subduction zone earthquake and slow slip sequences

Using subduction zone earthquake and slow slip sequence model in the framework of rate-state friction, we simulate subduction earthquake cycles with episodic slow slip events to understand their source processes and stress interaction, under the influence of fault geometry, fault frictional properties, and fluid pressure variation. Study areas include Cascadia, Costa Rica, and Japan subduction zones.

Earthquakes and slip along oceanic transform faults

Investigating the mechanics of earthquake rupture and aseismic slip along oceanic transform faults, focusing on the role of fault zone structure and loading conditions in controlling seismic behavior.

Intraplate seismicity in Eastern Canada

Understanding the causes and characteristics of earthquakes in stable continental regions, with particular focus on the seismically active zones of eastern Canada and their relationship to geological structures.

Fluid-injection-induced earthquakes

Studying the mechanisms of anthropogenic seismicity related to fluid injection, including hydraulic fracturing and wastewater disposal, through modeling and seismological analysis.

Environmental seismic noise

Analysis of ambient seismic noise to understand environmental processes and their signatures in seismological records, including ocean wave interactions and anthropogenic sources.

Current Group Members

Amy Lu

PhD Student

Subduction zone earthquake and slow slip interaction

Justin Chien

PhD Student

Machine learning earthquake catalog development and seismic source differentiation

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Juliette Champagne

MSc Student

Seismic environmental noise

Jian Xu

Postdoctoral Researcher

Induced seismicity source mechanism

Alumni

Postdocs

Wenqiang Zhang (2021-2024) - Earthquake cycle and dynamic rupture modeling. Current: Postdoc at Stanford University, USA.
Taka Kanaya (2021-2024) - Co-supervised with J. Kirkpatrick. Current: Post-Doc in Engineering Geology, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany.
Xintong Xie (2021-2023) - CSC Visiting Postdoc. Megathrust earthquake and tsunami hazards. Current: Research Scientist at Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Haipeng Luo (2022/01-2022/12) - Subduction zone deformation and geodetic constraint. Previously, PhD (2021) from University of Victoria. Current: Associate Professor of Department of Earth and Space Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology, China.
Clément Estève (2020-2022) - Current: Scientist at University of Vienna, Austria.
Alessandro Verdecchia (2019-2021) - Current: Postdoc fellow at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
Julia Kubanek (2017-2019) - Current: Earth Observation Campaign Coordinator at European Space Agency.
Hongyu Yu (2016-2017) - Previously postdoc at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Now postdoc at Pacific Geoscience Centre.
Kai Deng (2015-2017) - Current: Associate Professor at Chengdu University of Technology, China.
Christine Regalla (2014-2015) - Co-supervised with C. Rowe, NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship. Assistant Professor at Boston University.
Xiaowei Chen (2013-2014, WHOI) - Co-supervised with J. McGuire. Associate Professor at University of Oklahoma.
Yoshihiro Kaneko (2012-2013, WHOI) - Co-supervised with J. McGuire. Previously Research Scientist at GNS Science, New Zealand. Now Associate Professor at Kyoto University.
Matt Wei (2012-2014, WHOI) - Co-supervised with J. McGuire. Associate Professor at University of Rhode Island.
Hongfeng Yang (2010-2013, WHOI) - Associate Professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Graduate Students

Jian Xu (2023-2024) - CSC Visiting PhD student. Induced seismicity in Sichuan Basin, China. PhD student at University of Science and Technology of China.
John Onwuemeka (PhD, 2015-2021) - Co-supervised with Rebecca Harrington. Intraplate earthquake source properties (Charlevoix). Previously, MSc from Western University. Current: Senior Data Scientist at Amadeus.
Andres Pena Castro (PhD, 2014-2020) - Co-supervised with R. Harrington. Microseismicity detection, earthquake source parameter inversion. Previously, BSc in Physics from University of Los Andes, Colombia. Current: Postdoc at University of Strasbourg, France.
Ge Li (PhD, 2014-2020) - Earthquake rupture simulation and seismicity clustering analysis (Leech River Fault zone). Previously, BSc in Geophysics from University of Science and Technology, China. Current: Applied Machine Learning Scientist at Mila, Montreal.
Bei Wang (PhD, 2014-2019) - Co-supervised with R. Harrington. Current: Professor at Zhejiang University of Technology.
Duo Li (PhD, 2013-2018) - Current: Senior Seismologist at GNS, New Zealand.
Julia Morales-Aguirre (MSc, 2020-2022) - Co-supervised with N. Gomez. Glacial earthquakes and ice sheet dynamics. Previously, BSc in Physics and Geophysics, McGill. Current: Advisor at Arctic Frontiers.
Brindley Smith (MSc, 2018-2020) - Earthquake dynamic triggering in northeast British Columbia. Current: Seismologist at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan, Pacific Geoscience Centre).
Lise Alalouf (MSc, 2018-2021)
Ruhollah Kevarshdoost (MSc, 2017-2019)
Meng Pang (MSc, 2012-2014)

Undergraduate research assistants (2022-present)

Eva Goblot, Earth System Sciences, 2022-2024 - NSERC USRA. Whale call detection and characterization using land seismometers along the St Lawrence River. Current: Graduate student at Dalhousie University.
Quentin Sapin, Earth and Planetary Sciences, 2022 - Seismicity detection and location near Aquistore (CO2 sequestration), SK. Current: Graduate student at Queen’s University, ON.
Briana Bellomo, EPS, 2022 Ground shaking and felt reports due to induced earthquakes in Northeast BC, and cultural noise characterization.

Publications

Google Scholar Profile

(student/postdoc authors underlined)

Under review

Effectively Distinguishing Blast and Earthquake Sources in Eastern Canada

Chien, J., Y. Liu

Widespread Seismic Tremor in Greenland’s Fjords

Lucas, E., Y. Liu, N. Gomez

Rupture Cascade Initiated by Wastewater Disposal: Nucleation and Domino Effect of Canada’s Largest Induced Earthquake

Sun, W., Y. J. Gu, Y. Liu, T. Li, R. Wang, J. Wang, R. M. Harrington, M. Roth, R. Schultz, G. Xu, G. Jiang

Tsunami hazard in South China Sea elevated by Manila megathrust supercycles

Zhu, Y., H. Yu, C. An, Y. Liu, L. Meng

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT): Advancing Understanding of Cascadia's Earthquake Hazards

Melgar, D., et al., and CRESCENT team

2025

Shallow lingering and deep transient seismicity related to hydraulic fracturing in the Changning shale gas field, China

Xu, J., J. Li, W. Yang, G. Chen, Y. Liu, A. Verdecchia, R. M. Harrington, R. Lu, Y. Tan, Y. Ye, J. Tang

Journal of Geophysical Research, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB030279

Seismic swarm and surface deformation in Kamanjab Inlier, Northern Namibia

Angombe, M. T.*, J. Chien*, G. Salomon, Y. Liu, C. D. Rowe, M. Sitali, S. Shipena (*co-first authors)

Seismica https://doi.org/10.26443/seismica.v4i2.1303

2024

Spatiotemporal variability of fin whale and blue whale calls detected by land seismometers along the Lower St. Lawrence Seaway

Goblot, E., Y. Liu, A. Plourde, P. Cauchy, J. Merindol, C. Bernier, G. Li, B. Roth

Seismica, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.26443/seismica.v3i2.1153

Accurate hindcasting of explosive eruptions at Whakaari, New Zealand: banded tremor precursors for future forecasts

Stix, J., C. Miller, Y. Liu

Volcanica, 7(1), p. 153-164. https://doi.org/10.30909/vol.07.01.153164

2023

Methane emissions from non-producing oil and gas wells and the potential role of seismic activity: A case study in northeast British Columbia, Canada

Pozzobon, C., Y. Liu, J. D. Kirkpatrick, R. Chesnaux, M. Kang

Environmental Science and Technology, 57(51), p. 21673-21680. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c06062

Inferring rock strength and fault activation from high-resolution in-situ Vp/Vs estimates surrounding induced earthquake clusters

Roth, M. P., A. Verdecchia, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu

Seismica, 2(2), 13 pages. https://doi.org/10.26443/seismica.v2i2.498

A Mixed-Flux-Based Nodal Discontinuous Galerkin Method for 3D Dynamic Rupture Modeling

Zhang, W., Y. Liu, Chen, X

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB025817

Incorporating Full Elastodynamic Effects and Dipping Fault Geometries in Community Code Verification Exercises for Simulations of Earthquake Sequences and Aseismic Slip (SEAS)

Erickson, B., Jiang, J., Lambert, V., and SEAS team

Bulletin of Seismological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120220066

2022

Geometric Control on Seismic Rupture and Earthquake Sequence along the Yingxiu-Benchuan Fault with Implications for the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake

Zhang, L., Y. Liu, D. Li, H. Yu, C. He

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024113

Seismic Evidence for a Weakened Thick Crust at the Beaufort Sea Continental Margin

Estève, C., Y Liu, I Koulakov, AJ Schaeffer, P Audet

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL100158

Depth-dependent crustal stress rotation and strength variation in the Charlevoix Seismic Zone (CSZ), Québec, Canada

Verdecchia, A., J. Onwuemeka, Y. Liu, R. M. Harrington

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL100276

Small magnitude events highlight the correlation between hydraulic fracturing injection parameters and earthquake occurrence

Kemna, K., M. P. Roth, R. Wache, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL099995

Source properties for hydraulic-fracturing-induced earthquakes in the Kiskatinaw area, British Columbia, Canada

Roth, M. P., K. B. Kemna, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022750

Community-Driven Code Comparisons for Three-Dimensional Dynamic Modeling of Sequences of Earthquakes and Aseismic Slip (SEAS)

Jiang, J., B. A. Erickson, V. R. Lambert, and SEAS team

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB023519

2021

Fluid-injection induced earthquakes characterized by hybrid-frequency waveforms manifest the transition from aseismic to seismic slip

Yu, H., R. M. Harrington, H. Kao, Y. Liu, B. Wang

Nature Communications, 12, 6862. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26961-x

Joint Inversion of Rupture across a Fault Stepover during the 8 August 2017 Mw 6.5 Jiuzhaigou, China, Earthquake

Zhang, Y., W. Feng, X. Liu, Y. Liu, J. Ning, Q. Huang

Seismological Research Letters, 92 (6): 3386–3397. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220210084

Crustal velocity variations and constraints on material properties in the Charlevoix Seismic Zone, eastern Canada

Onwuemeka, J., Y. Liu, R. M. Harrington

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB020918

A Study on the Largest Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquake in Canada: Numerical Modeling and Triggering Mechanism

Wang, B., A. Verdecchia, H. Kao, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu

Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, 111 (3): 1392–1404. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120200251

Cascadia megathrust earthquake rupture model constrained by geodetic fault locking

Li, D., Y. Liu

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0135

2020

Earthquake rupture through a step-over fault system: An exploratory numerical study of the Leech River Fault, southern Vancouver Island

Li, G., Y. Liu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB020059

Correlation Between Poroelastic Stress Perturbation and Multi-disposal Wells Induced Earthquake Sequence in Cushing, Oklahoma

Deng, K., Y. Liu, X. Chen

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089366

Well Proximity Governing Stress Drop Variation and Seismic Attenuation Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquakes

Yu, H., R. M. Harrington, H. Kao, Y. Liu, R. E. Abercrombie, B. Wang

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB020103

Stress chatter via fluid flow and fault slip in a hydraulic fracturing induced earthquake sequence in the Montney formation, British Columbia

Peña Castro, A. F., M. P. Roth, J. Onwuemeka, A. Verdecchia, Y. Liu, R. M. Harrington, Y. Zhang, H. Kao

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087254

A study on the largest hydraulic fracturing induced earthquake in Canada: Observations and static stress drop estimation

Wang, B., R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, H. Kao, H. Yu

Bulletin of Seismological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120190261

High-resolution imaging of hydraulic fracturing induced earthquake clusters in the Dawson-Septimus area, northeast British Columbia, Canada

Roth, M. P., A. Verdecchia, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu

Seismological Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220200086

Aseismic transient slip on the Gofar transform fault, East Pacific Rise

Liu, Y., J. J. McGuire, M. D. Behn

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1913625117

The Community Code Verification Exercise for Simulating Sequences of Earthquakes and Aseismic Slip (SEAS)

Erickson, B. A., J. Jiang, M. Barall, N. Lapusta, E. M. Dunham, R. Harris, et al.

Seismological Research Letters, 91(2A): 874-890

2019

Potential increase in oil and gas well leakage due to earthquakes

Kang, M., Y. Dong, Y. Liu, J. P. Williams, P. M. J. Douglas, J. M. McKenzie

Environmental Research Communications, 1(2019)121004

Ground‐Motion Characteristics of the 30 November 2018 Injection‐Induced Earthquake Sequence in Northeast British Columbia, Canada

Mahani, A. B., H. Kao, G. M. Atkinson, K. Assatourians, K. Addo, Y. Liu

Seismological Research Letters, 90(4), 1457-1467

Induced seismicity driven by fluid diffusion revealed by a near-field hydraulic stimulation monitoring array in the Montney Basin, British Columbia

Yu, H., R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, B. Wang

Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB017039

Afterslip evolution on the crustal ramp of the Main Himalayan Thrust fault following the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha (Nepal) earthquake

Jiang, G., Y. Wang, Y. Wen, Y. Liu, C. Xu, C. Xu

Tectonophysics, 758, page 29-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.03.005

Remote dynamic triggering of earthquakes in three Canadian unconventional hydrocarbon regions based on a multi-station matched-filter approach

Wang, B., R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, H. Kao

Bulletin of Seismological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120180164

2018

Earthquake stress drop in the Charlevoix Seismic Zone, eastern Canada

Onwuemeka, J., Y. Liu, and R. M. Harrington

Geophysical Research Letters, 45. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079382

Controls on mid-ocean ridge normal fault seismicity across spreading rates from rate-and-state friction models

Mark H. F., M. D. Behn, J.-A. Olive, and Y. Liu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB015545

Numerical modeling of dynamically triggered shallow slow slip events in New Zealand by the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake

Wei, M., Y. Kaneko, P. Shi, Y. Liu

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077879

Seismicity relocation and fault structure near the Leech River Fault Zone, southern Vancouver Island

Li, G., Y. Liu, C. Regalla, K. Morell

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB015021

Modeling earthquake sequences along the Manila subduction zone: Effects of three-dimensional fault geometry

Yu, H., Y. Liu, H. Yang, J. Ning

Tectonophysics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2018.01.025

Stress rotation across the Cascadia megathrust requires a weak subduction plate boundary at seismogenic depths

Li, D., J J McGuire, Y Liu, J L Hardebeck

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 485, Pages 55-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.01.002

Segmentation of slow slip events in south central Alaska possibly controlled by a subducted oceanic plateau

Li, H., M. Wei, D. Li, Y. Liu, Y. Kim, and S. Zhou

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014911

2017

Induced earthquakes in the development of unconventional energy resources

Yang, H., Y. Liu, M. Wei, J. Zhuang, S. Zhou

Science China Earth Sciences, 60: 1632. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-017-9063-0

Frictional properties of the South China Sea oceanic basalt and implications for strength of the Manila subduction seismogenic zone

Zhang, L., C. He, Y. Liu, and J. Lin

Marine Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2017.05.006

Modeling slow slip segmentation in Cascadia subduction zone constrained by tremor locations and gravity anomalies

Li, D., and Y. Liu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jb013778

2016

Seismicity along St. Lawrence Paleorift Faults Overprinted by a Meteorite Impact Structure in Charlevoix, Québec, Eastern Canada

Yu, H., Y. Liu, R. M. Harrington, and M. Lamontagne

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 2663–2673. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120160036

Poroelastic stress triggering of the December 2013 Crooked Lake, Alberta, induced seismicity sequence

Deng, K., Y. Liu, and R. M. Harrington

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070421

Spatiotemporal evolution of slow slip events in a non-planar fault model for northern Cascadia subduction zone

Li, D., and Y. Liu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB012857

Stress drop estimates and hypocenter relocations of induced seismicity near Crooked Lake, Alberta

Clerc, F., R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, and Y.J. Gu

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069800

Hydraulic fracturing and seismicity in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Atkinson, G. M., D. W. Eaton, H. Ghofrani, D. Walker, B. Cheadle, R. Schultz, R. Shcherbakov, K. Tiampo, J. Gu, R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, M. van der Baan, H. Kao

Seismological Research Letter. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220150263

Discriminating induced seismicity from natural earthquakes using moment tensors and source spectra

Zhang, H., D. W. Eaton, G. Li, Y. Liu, and R. M. Harrington

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JB012603

2015

Stress adjustment revealed by seismicity and earthquake focal mechanisms in northeast China before and after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

Yu, H., L. Zhao, Y. Liu, J-Y Ning, Q. Chen, J. Lin

Tectonophysics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2015.10.009

Dynamic triggering of creep events in the Salton Trough, Southern California by regional M>=5.4 earthquakes constrained by geodetic observations and numerical simulations

Wei, M., Y. Liu, Y. Kaneko, J. J. McGuire, R. Bilham

Earth and Planetary Science Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.06.044

Isolated cases of remote dynamic triggering in Canada detected using cataloged earthquakes combined with a matched-filter approach

Wang, B., R. M. Harrington, Y. Liu, H. Yu, A. Carey, N. van der Elst

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064377

Joint analysis of the 2014 Kangding, southwest China, earthquake sequence with seismicity relocation and InSAR inversion

Jiang, G., Y. Wen, Y. Liu, X. Xu, L. Fang, G. Chen, M. Gong

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL063750

Geodetic imaging of potential seismogenic asperities on the Xianshuihe Anninghe Zemuhe fault system, southwest China, with a new 3D viscoelastic interseismic coupling model

Jiang, G., X. Xu, G. Chen, Y. Liu, Y. Fukahata, H. Wang, G. Yu, X. Tan, C. Xu

Journal of Geophysical Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JB011492

2014

Source scaling relations and along-strike segmentation of slow slip events in a 3-D subduction fault model

Liu, Y.

Journal of Geophysical Research, 119. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JB011144

2013

Geometrical effects of a subducted seamount on stopping megathrust ruptures

Yang, H., Y. Liu, and J. Lin

Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50509

Episodic fault creep events in California controlled by shallow frictional heterogeneity

Wei, M., Y. Kaneko, Y. Liu, and J. J. McGuire

Nature Geoscience. https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1835

Numerical simulations on megathrust rupture stabilized under strong dilatancy strengthening in slow slip region

Liu, Y.

Geophysical Research Letters, 40, 1311-1316. https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50298

2012

Effects of subducted seamounts on megathrust earthquakes and rupture propagation

Yang, H., Y. Liu, and J. Lin

Geophysical Research Letters, 39, L24302. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053892

Frictional behavior of oceanic transform faults and its influence on earthquake characteristics

Liu, Y., J. J. McGuire, and M. D. Behn

Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, B04315. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JB009025

2011 and prior

Relationship between the growth rate of forsterite phase transformation and its water content and the existing depth of metastable olivine

Wang, S., Y. Liu, and J. Ning

Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 54(7), 1758-1766. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0001-5733.2011.07.009

Role of fault gouge dilatancy on aseismic deformation transients

Liu, Y., and A. M. Rubin

Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B10414. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JB007522

Slow slip prediction based on gabbro friction data compared to GPS measurements in northern Cascadia

Liu, Y., and J. R. Rice

Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, B09407. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JB006142

Seismicity variations associated with aseismic transients in Guerrero, Mexico, 1995-2006

Liu, Y., J. R. Rice, and K. M. Larson

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 462, pp. 493-504, 2007

Spontaneous and triggered aseismic deformation transients in a subduction fault model

Liu, Y., and J. R. Rice

Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, B09404. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JB004930

Aseismic slip transients emerge spontaneously in 3D rate and state modeling of subduction earthquake sequences

Liu, Y., and J. R. Rice

Journal of Geophysical Research, 110, B08307. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JB003424

2-D viscoelastic FEM simulation on stress state in the deep part of a subducted slab

Liu, Y., G. Ye, X. Mao and J. Ning

Acta Seismologica Sinica, 15(3): 301-308, 2002

2-D elastic FEM simulation on stress state in the deep part of a subducted slab

Mao, X., Y. Liu, G. Ye and J. Ning

Acta Seismologica Sinica, 15(3): 294-300, 2002

Current Courses

EPSC 320: Elementary Earth Physics

Undergraduate Course (Fall 2025, offered evrey year)

Introduction to solid earth geophysics covering plate tectonics, seismology, gravity, magnetics, and heat flow. Topics include elastic wave propagation, earthquake seismology, Earth's internal structure, and potential field methods. Computational exercises involve data analysis and interpretation of geophysical observations.

EPSC 520: Earthquake Physics and Geology

Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate Course (Winter 2026, offered in alternate years)

Comprehensive treatment of seismological theory and applications. Topics include elastic wave theory, earthquake source mechanisms, fault friction, earthquake cycle deformation. Students work with seismic/geodetic data and learn computational modeling techniques.

Past Courses

EPSC 551: Selected Topics in Anatomy of Fault Zones

Inter-university course with Queen’s, U. Toronto, and Simon Fraser, Winter 2017

EPSC 331&341: Field School 2&3

Massif Central, France, Summer 2016 (w. van Hinsberg)

EPSC 552: Collaborative Seminar: Plate Boundary Transitional Behavior

Winter 2016 (w. Rowe, Kirkpatrick)

EPSC 550: Selected Topics in Earthquake Physics and Geology

Winter 2013 (w. Rowe), Winter 2015 (w. Harrington)

MIT/WHOI 12.525: Mechanics of Faulting and Earthquakes

Fall 2010 (w. Lin and McGuire)

MIT/WHOI 12.752: Seminar in Oceanic Faulting and Earthquakes

Fall 2010 (w. Lin and McGuire)

Summer course in Earthquake source process and seismicity analysis

Summer 2015-2016 (w. Yang, Wei, Zhuang, Zhou)

Applied Math 205: Practical Scientific Computing

Harvard University, Fall 2004, Teaching Fellow

Applied Math 105b: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations

Harvard University, Spring 2004, Teaching Fellow

Applied Math 21a: Mathematical Methods in the Sciences

Harvard University, Fall 2002, Teaching Fellow

Student Opportunities

I welcome inquiries from undergraduate students interested in earthquake seismology research. Current research opportunities include projects on subduction zone processes, induced seismicity, earthquake source mechanics, and enviromental seismic noise. Ideal candidates should have strong backgrounds in physics, mathematics, and/or geophysics.

Funding opportunities available through:

NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Awards
McGill University Science Undergraduate Research Awards

Students can register in undergraduate research courses and honor thesis projects through:

EPSC 396: Undergraduate Research Project
EPSC 482/483: Independent Studies

Curriculum Vitae

📄 Download Full CV (PDF)

Education

2007

Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

2001

B.Sc. in Geophysics

Peking University, Beijing, China

Appointment

2025-Present

Professor

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University

2022-2023

Interim Chair

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University

2017-2025

Associate Professor

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University

2011-2017

Assistant Professor

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University

2009-2011

Assistant Scientist

Department of Geology and Geophysics
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA

2007-2009

Harry Hess Postdoctoral Fellow

Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Honors & Awards

2019-2029

Canada Research Chair in Earthquake Seismology (Tier 2)

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

2018

NSERC academic representative at Future Leaders Forum

Science and Technology in Society Forum

2017

Young Scientist Award

Canadian Geophysical Union

2007-2009

Harry Hess Postdoctoral Fellowship

Department of Geosciences, Princeton University

Professional Service

2020-Present

Associate Editor

Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth

2019-Present

Executive Council Committee

National Facility for Seismological Investigation(Canadian ocean bottom seismometer instrument pool)

Recent News & Updates

September 2025

Dr. Jian Xu joins the group as a postdoctoral researcher, bringing expertise in induced seismicity source mechanism and poroelastic stress modeling.
Juliette Champagne starts as a new MSc student, working on Lower St. Lawrence seismic data for enviromental noise detection and understanding of the St. Lawrence Estuary marine soundscape.

May 2025

Amy Lu wins Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the Japanese Geoscience Union annual meeting for her presentation titled Influence of the 2011 Mw 9.1 Tohoku earthquake stress perturbation on Boso slow slip events.

Numerical Packages

DRDG3D

Dynamic Rupture simulation using Discontinuous Galerkin method

Numerical package for 3D fault geometry and material heterogeneities simulation. This code implements advanced discontinuous Galerkin methods for modeling complex earthquake rupture processes in three dimensions.

Related publication: Zhang, W., Liu, Y., & Chen, X., Journal of Geophysical Research (2023)

GitHub link

TriBIE

Earthquake and aseismic slip sequence simulation using triangular elements

Boundary integral equation method for 3D fault geometry, designed to simulate both earthquake cycles and slow slip sequences. The code uses triangular boundary elements to handle complex fault geometries.

Related publications: 1) Li, D., and Y. Liu, Journal of Geophysical Research (2016), 2) Li, D., and Y. Liu, Journal of Geophysical Research (2017)

GitHub link

SAES

Spectral Analysis of Earthquake Source

Developed by PhD students Ge Li and John Onwuemeka. The code handles both single spectra and spectral ratio analysis for earthquake corner frequencies and seismic moment, which are used to estimate static stress drop values. It leverages parallel computing capabilities to find optimal source parameters inferred from source spectra model fit.

GitHub link

Datasets

Kiskatinaw (NE British Columbia, Montney Formation) Induced Seismicity

1. Seismicity catalog of 8283 hydraulic-fracturing-induced earthquakes

Time period: 1 July 2017 to 31 July 2020

Dataset: https://zenodo.org/record/5152863#.YQwQjdNufrA
Related publications: Roth et al., SRL, 2020 and Roth et al., JGR, 2022

2. Earthquake source parameters of 2426 events

Seismic moment, corner frequency estimates from: a. single spectrum, b. clustered spectrum, c. spectra ratio

Time period: July 2017 to July 2020
Dataset: https://zenodo.org/record/5886748#.Yj8wAjfMLY4
Related publication: Roth et al., JGR, 2022

3. Focal mechanism solutions of 64 events

Time period: July 2017 to July 2022

Available in SI Table S2 of Roth et al., JGR, 2022

Charlevoix Seismic Zone Earthquake Source Parameters:

1. Focal mechanism solutions, 2. Stress drop estimate, 3. Relocated hypocenters (2012-2017)

Reference: Onwuemeka et al., GRL, 2018

Leech River Fault Earthquake Source Parameters (1992-2015)

1. Relocated hypocenters, 2. Focal mechanism solutions

Reference: Li et al. JGR 2018

Cultural/Biological Noise and Earthquake Ground Motion Datasets

Environmental seismic noise datasets

Data link
Google Map Project

Data Access and Usage

Most datasets and numerical codes are available for research and educational purposes. For datasets not publicly available through external repositories, please contact Prof. Liu directly at yajing.liu@mcgill.ca with your research proposal and intended use.

Citation Requirements: When using our datasets or codes, please cite the associated publications.

Technical Support: Limited technical support is available for our numerical packages. Please refer to the documentation and associated publications for implementation details.