Open AccessInfluence of friction and fault geometry on earthquake rupture
Author(s) -
Nielsen Stefan B.,
Carlson J. M.,
Olsen Kim B.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: solid earth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/1999jb900350
Subject(s) - aperiodic graph , slip (aerodynamics) , dissipation , mechanics , physics , planar , scalar (mathematics) , crossover , geometry , dynamical friction , classical mechanics , mathematics , computer graphics (images) , combinatorics , artificial intelligence , computer science , thermodynamics , astrophysics
We investigate the impact of variations in the friction and geometry on models of fault dynamics. We focus primarily on a three‐dimensional continuum model with scalar displacements. Slip occurs on an embedded two‐dimensional planar interface. Friction is characterized by a two‐parameter rate and state law, incorporating a characteristic length for weakening, a characteristic time for healing, and a velocity‐weakening steady state. As the friction parameters are varied, there is a crossover from narrow, self‐healing slip pulses to crack‐like solutions that heal in response to edge effects. For repeated ruptures the crack‐like regime exhibits periodic or aperiodic systemwide events. The self‐healing regime exhibits dynamical complexity and a broad distribution of rupture areas. The behavior can also change from periodicity or quasi‐periodicity to dynamical complexity as the total fault size or the length‐to‐width ratio is increased. Our results for the continuum model agree qualitatively with analogous results obtained for a one‐dimensional Burridge‐Knopoff model in which radiation effects are approximated by viscous dissipation.