A rate-and-state friction based criterion for the probability of earthquake fault jumps

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Michel, Sylvain, Scotti, Oona, Hok, Sebastien, Bhat, Harsha S., Kheirdast, Navid, Romanet, Pierre, Almakari, Michelle, Cheng, Jinhui
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Michel, Sylvain
Scotti, Oona
Hok, Sebastien
Bhat, Harsha S.
Kheirdast, Navid
Romanet, Pierre
Almakari, Michelle
Cheng, Jinhui
author_facet Michel, Sylvain
Scotti, Oona
Hok, Sebastien
Bhat, Harsha S.
Kheirdast, Navid
Romanet, Pierre
Almakari, Michelle
Cheng, Jinhui
contents Geometrical complexities in natural fault zones, such as steps and gaps, pose a challenge in seismic hazard studies as they can act as obstacles to seismic ruptures. In this study, we propose a criterion, which is based on the rate-and-state equation, to estimate the efficiency of an earthquake rupture to jump between two spatially disconnected faults. The proposed jump criterion is tested using a 2D quasi-dynamic numerical simulations of the seismic cycle. The criterion successfully predicts fault jumps where the simpler Coulomb stress change calculation fails to do so. The criterion includes the Coulomb stress change as a parameter but is also dependent on other important parameters among which is the absolute normal stress on the fault the rupture jumps to. Based on the criterion, the maximum jump distance increases with decreasing absolute normal stress, i.e. as the rupture process occurs closer to the Earth's surface or as pore pressure increases. The criterion implies that earthquakes can jump to arbitrary large distances at the Earth's surface if the normal stress is allowed to go to zero, underscoring the potential for large jump distances (i.e. >5 km). We further propose a probabilistic framework to estimate the likelihood of rupture jumps by accounting for uncertainties in fault geometry and earthquake source parameters. Additionally to its role into seismic hazard assessment, this criterion could complement Coulomb stress change maps with those of triggered slip-rates on receiver faults due to quasi-instantaneous stress perturbations, as well as estimates of jump probabilities accounting for parameter uncertainties.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_15948
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A rate-and-state friction based criterion for the probability of earthquake fault jumps
Michel, Sylvain
Scotti, Oona
Hok, Sebastien
Bhat, Harsha S.
Kheirdast, Navid
Romanet, Pierre
Almakari, Michelle
Cheng, Jinhui
Geophysics
Geometrical complexities in natural fault zones, such as steps and gaps, pose a challenge in seismic hazard studies as they can act as obstacles to seismic ruptures. In this study, we propose a criterion, which is based on the rate-and-state equation, to estimate the efficiency of an earthquake rupture to jump between two spatially disconnected faults. The proposed jump criterion is tested using a 2D quasi-dynamic numerical simulations of the seismic cycle. The criterion successfully predicts fault jumps where the simpler Coulomb stress change calculation fails to do so. The criterion includes the Coulomb stress change as a parameter but is also dependent on other important parameters among which is the absolute normal stress on the fault the rupture jumps to. Based on the criterion, the maximum jump distance increases with decreasing absolute normal stress, i.e. as the rupture process occurs closer to the Earth's surface or as pore pressure increases. The criterion implies that earthquakes can jump to arbitrary large distances at the Earth's surface if the normal stress is allowed to go to zero, underscoring the potential for large jump distances (i.e. >5 km). We further propose a probabilistic framework to estimate the likelihood of rupture jumps by accounting for uncertainties in fault geometry and earthquake source parameters. Additionally to its role into seismic hazard assessment, this criterion could complement Coulomb stress change maps with those of triggered slip-rates on receiver faults due to quasi-instantaneous stress perturbations, as well as estimates of jump probabilities accounting for parameter uncertainties.
title A rate-and-state friction based criterion for the probability of earthquake fault jumps
topic Geophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.15948