Earthquakes in a model of seismic zone with embedded pre‐existing faults

Abstract

We construct a simple quasi‐static model of seismic zone with embedded pre‐existing faults and present a self‐consistent method for incorporating both the stick‐slip behavior at the fault surfaces and the long‐ranged stress redistribution following a rupture or a slip event. Driven by a slow tectonic plate (relative) motion, the model evolves to a critical state exhibiting Gutenberg‐Richter power law for the frequency‐size distributions. Results on spatial and statistical features of earthquakes in the model are also presented.