Open AccessFractal structure of spatial distribution of microfracturing in rock
Author(s) -
Hirata Takayuki,
Satoh Takashi,
Ito Keisuke
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1987.tb00732.x
Subject(s) - fractal , fractal dimension , geology , spatial distribution , seismology , acoustic emission , overburden pressure , fracture (geology) , mineralogy , geotechnical engineering , materials science , composite material , mathematical analysis , remote sensing , mathematics
Summary A constant stress fracture experiment of Oshima granite was carried out at the confining pressure of 40 MPa. Hypocentres of 2064 acoustic emissions were located during the experiment. Using the ‘correlation integral’, we found that the spatial distribution of hypocentres of acoustic emission is a fractal, and that the fractal dimension decreases with the evolution of rock fracturing. The spatial distribution of earthquake's hypocentres reveals fractals ranging from regional to worldwide distribution. If we extrapolate from laboratory measurements, it is possible to predict the occurrence of large earthquakes by the decrease in the fractal dimension.