Predicting rupture arrests, rupture jumps and cascading earthquakes

Finzi, Yaron; Langer, Sebastian

doi:10.1029/2012jb009544

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Such studies include descriptions of strain patterns across bimaterial interfaces (Weertman, 1980;Cochard and Rice, 2000), and of unique surface waves that develop along such interfaces (Stoneley, 1924). The effect of bimaterial interfaces on rupture jumps over weak step-over zones separating fault segments was recently described in Finzi and Langer (2012b). Similarly, our current simulations show that dynamically propagating seismic waves induce stress enhancements along the bimaterial edges (Figures 2, 3, 4 The elongated "ripples" West of the interfaces (marked X and Y in Figure 3) may be caused by a superimposition of the shear waves with their reflections at the bimaterial interface.…”

Section: Excitation Of Materials Interfacessupporting

confidence: 84%

Dynamic triggering of earthquakes is promoted by crustal heterogeneities and bimaterial faults

Langer

Finzi

Olsen-Kettle

2015

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors

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7Remotely triggered earthquakes and aftershocks constitute a great challenge in assessing seismic risk. A growing body of observations indicates that significant earthquakes can be triggered by moderate to great earthquakes occurring at distances of up to thousands of kilometers. Currently we lack the knowledge to predict the location of triggered events. We present numerical simulations showing that dynamic interactions between material heterogeneities (e.g. compliant fault zones, sedimentary basins) and seismic waves focus and enhance stresses sufficiently to remotely trigger earthquakes. Numerical simulations indicate that even at great distances (>100km), the amplified transient dynamic stress near heterogeneities is equivalent to stress levels near the source rupture tip (<5km). Such stress levels are widely considered capable of nucleating an earthquake rupture on a pre-stressed fault.Analysis of stress patterns in dynamic rupture simulations which include a heterogeneous zone with a range of material and geometrical properties reveals various mechanisms of stress enhancement. We conclude that both stiff * Corresponding author. and weak heterogeneities may focus stress waves to form zones of enhanced stress, and that bimaterial interfaces distort under static and dynamic loading in a way that induces local stress concentrations. Our work provides insights for understanding non-uniform distribution of remotely triggered seismicity and recurrence of such events along complex fault-systems and near magmatic intrusions and geothermal zones.

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Section: Excitation Of Materials Interfacessupporting

confidence: 84%

Dynamic triggering of earthquakes is promoted by crustal heterogeneities and bimaterial faults

Langer

Finzi

Olsen-Kettle

2015

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors

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“…We assume that both fault segments are embedded in a homogeneous elastic half‐space. However, most fault zones will include a low‐velocity layer surrounding the fault plane (Finzi & Langer, , ; Huang & Ampero, ; Lewis & Ben‐Zion, ,). The elastic modulus of this layer adjacent to the primary fault can be smaller than host rock and also different from the elastic modulus of the layer adjacent to the secondary fault.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Seismogenic Depth and Background Stress on Physical Limits of Earthquake Rupture Across Fault Step Overs

Bai

Ampuero

2017

JGR Solid Earth

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Earthquakes can rupture geometrically complex fault systems by breaching fault step overs. Quantifying the likelihood of rupture jump across step overs is important to evaluate earthquake hazard and to understand the interactions between dynamic rupture and fault growth processes. Here we investigate the role of seismogenic depth and background stress on physical limits of earthquake rupture across fault step overs. Our computational and theoretical study is focused on the canonical case of two parallel strike‐slip faults with large aspect ratio, uniform prestress and friction properties. We conduct a systematic set of 3‐D dynamic rupture simulations with different seismogenic depth, step over distance, and initial stresses. We find that the maximum step over distance Hc that a rupture can jump depends on seismogenic depth W and strength excess to stress drop ratio S, commonly used to evaluate probable rupture velocity, as Hc0.3em∝W/Sn, where n = 2 when Hc/W < 0.2 (or S > 1.5) and n = 1 otherwise. The critical nucleation size, largely controlled by frictional properties, has a second‐order effect on Hc. Rupture on the secondary fault is mainly triggered by the stopping phase emanated from the rupture end on the primary fault. Asymptotic analysis of the peak amplitude of stopping phases sheds light on the mechanical origin of the relations between Hc, W, and S, and leads to the scaling regime with n = 1 in far field and n = 2 in near field. The results suggest that strike‐slip earthquakes on faults with large seismogenic depth or operating at high shear stresses can jump wider step overs than observed so far in continental interplate earthquakes.

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“…We note, that dynamic triggering in a segmented fault system is highly non-linear and may bridge distances larger than expected from simplified setups [Harris and Day, 1993;Oglesby, 2008;Finzi and Langer , 2012b]. For instance, at the northern most segments which are affected by seismic waves traveling more than 50 km from the hypocenter remote triggering is delayed with attenuation.…”

Section: The Effect Of Attenuation On Dynamic Triggeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landers 1992 "reloaded": Integrative dynamic earthquake rupture modeling

Gabriel

Wollherr

Schliwa

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Key Points:• A new integrative physics-based simulation of the 1992 Landers earthquake reproduces a broad range of independent observation • Sustained dynamic rupture interconnecting the complex fault segments constraints pre-stress and fault strength • We discuss the interplay of rupture transfers, geometric fault complexity, initial stress, viscoelastic attenuation, and off-fault plasticity AbstractThe 1992 M w 7.3 Landers earthquake is perhaps one of the best studied seismic events. However, many aspects of the dynamics of the rupture process are still puzzling, e.g. how did rupture transfer between fault segments? We present 3D spontaneous dynamic rupture simulations of a new degree of realism, incorporating the interplay of fault geometry, topography, 3D rheology, off-fault plasticity and viscoelastic attenuation. The surprisingly unique scenario reproduces a broad range of observations, including final slip distribution, seismic moment-rate function, seismic waveform characteristics and peak ground velocities, as well as shallow slip deficits and mapped off-fault deformation patterns. Sustained dynamic rupture of all fault segments in general, and rupture transfers in particular, put strong constraints on amplitude and orientation of initial fault stresses and friction. Source dynamics include dynamic triggering over large distances and direct branching; rupture terminates spontaneously on most of the principal fault segments. We achieve good agreement between synthetic and observed waveform characteristics and associated peak ground velocities. Despite very complex rupture evolution, ground motion variability is close to what is commonly assumed in Ground Motion Prediction Equations. We examine the effects of variations in modeling parameterization, e.g. purely elastic setups or models neglecting viscoelastic attenuation, in comparison to our preferred model. Our integrative dynamic modeling approach demonstrates the potential of consistent in-scale earthquake rupture simulations for augmenting earthquake source observations and improving the understanding of earthquake source physics of complex, segmented fault systems.

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Predicting rupture arrests, rupture jumps and cascading earthquakes

Cited by 16 publications

References 67 publications

Dynamic triggering of earthquakes is promoted by crustal heterogeneities and bimaterial faults

Dynamic triggering of earthquakes is promoted by crustal heterogeneities and bimaterial faults

Effect of Seismogenic Depth and Background Stress on Physical Limits of Earthquake Rupture Across Fault Step Overs

Landers 1992 "reloaded": Integrative dynamic earthquake rupture modeling

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