Open AccessDynamic rupture initiation and propagation in a fluid-injection laboratory setup with diagnostics across multiple temporal scales
Author(s) -
Marcello Gori,
V. Rubino,
Ares J. Rosakis,
N. Lapusta
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2023433118
Subject(s) - nucleation , slip (aerodynamics) , quasistatic process , mechanics , dynamic loading , fluid pressure , materials science , composite material , thermodynamics , physics
Significance Fluids present in the Earth’s crust promote earthquakes, as well as a variety of aseismic slip events, both in natural tectonic settings and potentially due to industrial activities, such as wastewater disposal, geothermal energy production, and CO2 storage. To study the physical processes linking fluids and slip motion, we have devised a laboratory earthquake setup capable of injecting fluid onto a simulated fault and monitoring the resulting slip on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Our findings indicate that faster injection rates result in lower fluid pressure at rupture initiation, highlighting the role of fluid injection rate in inducing seismic or aseismic slip events. We also find that the presence of fluids significantly affects the dynamic rupture propagation.