Interactive Dynamics of a Heterogeneous Seismic Source. A Model with the Slip-dependent Friction

Earthquakes can be perceived from two different points of view. First, they can be identified with earth vibrations that cause buildings to sway, glass to ring, small objects to fall down, or, from time to time, much more disastrous phenomena in the case of large earthquakes. On the other hand, they can be defined by the physical processes that cause these vibrations, i.e., by slip movements along the tectonic faults. In this work, the second aspect of the earthquake related phenomena, i.e., physics of earthquake sources and earthquake generation mechanisms, is studied.

MONOGRAPHIC VOLUME

CONTENTS

1. Earthquakes and the physics of earthquakes, ...7
    1.1. Complexity of faulting, ...7
    1.2. Research methods, ...16
    1.3. Physics of earthquakes, ...19
    1.4. Earthquake prediction, ...25
    1.5. Summary, ...26
2. Earthquake source model with the overdamped dynamics, ...27
    2.1. Evolution equations, ...29
    2.2. Energy partition, ...36
    2.3. Earthquake rupture scenario, ...39
    2.4. Discretization and boundary conditions, ...43
    2.5. Discussion, ...44
    2.6. Summary, ...47
3. Simulation results, ...48
    3.1. Long-term activity, ...49
    3.2. Earthquakes, ...52
    3.3. Earthquake cycles, ...54
    3.4. Earthquake populations, ...58
    3.5. Discussion, ...61
    3.6. Summary, ...63
4. Towards statistical physics of earthquakes, ...65
    4.1. Homogeneous source model, ...65
    4.2. Heterogeneous source model, ...71
    4.3. Discussion, ...83
    4.4. Summary, ...87
5. Conclusions: Earthquakes as complex phenomena, ...88
    5.1. Analogy to economical systems, ...91
    5.2. Controversies, ...92
    5.3. Inspirations, ...97
    5.4. Future studies, ...100
    5.5. Summary, ...100
Appendix A. Rate- and state-dependent friction, ...102
    A.1. Formulation, ...103
    A.2. Interpretation, ...103
    A.3. Slip-weakening behaviour, ...105
    A.4. Slip velocity pulses and self-healing, ...105
    A.5. Stability and critical source size, ...106
    A.6. Rupture phases and cycle stages, ...107
    A.7. Rupture phases, ...107
    A.8. Cycle stages, ...108
    A.9. Stress shadow and trigger, ...108
    A.10. Earthquake grouping, ...111
    A.11. Summary, ...113
Appendix B. Stiffness matrix, ...115
    B.1. Dislocation loops, ...115
    B.2. Tectonic fault, ...116
    B.3. Internal stresses, ...116
    B.4. Interactions, ...121
    B.5. Boundary conditions, ...124
    B.6. Notation, ...133
    B.7. Fault specification, ...133
    B.8. Interaction coefficients - internal cells, ...134
    B.9. Interaction coefficients - external cells, ...135
    B.10. Interaction coeffcients with free surface, ...138
    B.11. Summary, ...138
References, ...140
Streszczenie, ...147