Software donation gives earth science students state-of-the-art tools

Block diagram of 3D seismic data from the Nankai Trough.  Black lines show locations of sections that are being modeled and restored with the Move software as part of Ph.D. student Jason Lackey's dissertation.

The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) received a donation of state-of-the-art software from PE Limited, one of the leading providers of structural geology software, that brings the total gift from the organization to $2,765,000. The initial donation from PE Limited in May 2019, valued at $2,180,000, a second gift in January 2020, and the 2025 contribution, provide Move suite software licenses that allow students and faculty in the SOEST Department of Earth Sciences to make advanced geological interpretations related to earthquake and tsunami generation.

The Move suite is the most complete structural modeling and analysis toolkit available. It provides a full digital environment for best practice structural modeling to reduce risk and uncertainty in geological models. The Move suite provides a platform for integrating and interpreting data, creating cross-sections to visualize subsurface layers, 3D model building of fractures and fault response, and fault and stress analysis.

The software is already up and running in the department and is licensed exclusively for teaching, tutorials, and non-commercial research. Providing access to this powerful software will advance SOEST students’ interpretation skills, making them much more attractive to future employers, and giving them an advantage for their studies of rock deformation.

“Our students very much appreciate PE Limited’s donation,” said Greg Moore, structural geologist and professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. “Having access to Move software takes our research into the tectonic processes at the Nankai and Hikurangi subduction zones to the next level. It allows us to understand how strain has been accommodated during subduction-related deformation, which will further our understanding of subduction zone earthquake hazards.”

“What an incredible opportunity it has been for our faculty and students to have access to a powerful, cutting-edge software package,” said Garrett Apuzen-Ito, Earth Sciences professor and department chair. “We are grateful for PE Limited’s generosity and partnership in helping advance our students’ professional experience and research impacts.”

This is an updated version of a story originally posted in December 2023.