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Simulation Time Scale

Simulation time is an explicit modeling assumption.

Current default:

  • 1 simulation step = 60 seconds
  • event traces are binned with EVENT_BIN_SECONDS=3600
  • signal-shape comparisons use SIM_STEP_SECONDS=60

This mapping is convenient for comparing simulated avalanche sequences with hourly INGV event-energy traces. It is not a claim that one model step physically represents one minute of crustal evolution.

Frequency-domain interpretation:

  • PSD slopes and band-power ratios are shape diagnostics under the declared mapping.
  • Absolute frequencies are not physically meaningful until a separate calibration is justified.
  • VLF carrier displays are visual analogues derived from piezo envelope timing, not RF waveform reconstructions.

Override examples:

SIM_STEP_SECONDS=30 EVENT_BIN_SECONDS=1800 ./scripts/compare-signal-shapes.sh

Use the same declared mapping across all simulation seeds in a tuning run.

Current sequence tensor artifacts use this mapping in time_axis.csv:

  • time_utc = 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z + step * 60 seconds

This appears in each sequence manifest under time_mapping.