Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates
The loading rate of tectonic stress is not constant during long-term geotectonic activity and significantly affects the earthquake nucleation and fault rupture process. However, the mechanism underlying the loading rate effect is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/22/12243 |
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| author | Gongcheng Wu Kanghua Zhang Chonglang Wang Xing Li |
| author_facet | Gongcheng Wu Kanghua Zhang Chonglang Wang Xing Li |
| author_sort | Gongcheng Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The loading rate of tectonic stress is not constant during long-term geotectonic activity and significantly affects the earthquake nucleation and fault rupture process. However, the mechanism underlying the loading rate effect is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the effect of the loading rate on earthquake nucleation and stick–slip characteristics. Through lab experiments, faults were biaxially loaded at varying rates to produce a series of earthquakes (stick–slip events). Both shear strain and fault displacement were monitored during these events. The findings indicate a substantial effect of the loading rate on the recurrence interval and the shear stress drop of these stick–slip events, with the recurrence interval inversely proportional to the loading rate. The peak friction of the fault also decreases with the increasing loading rate. Notably, prior to the dynamic rupture of earthquakes, there exists a stable nucleation phase where slip occurs in a quasi-static manner. The critical nucleation length, or the distance required before the dynamic rupture, diminishes with both the loading rate and normal stress. A theoretical model is introduced to rationalize these observations. However, the rupture velocity of these lab-simulated earthquakes showed no significant correlation with the loading rate. Overall, this study enhanced our comprehension of earthquake nucleation and rupture dynamics in diverse tectonic settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:03:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03841f27fa934078aad6f108190fb7a6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:03:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-03841f27fa934078aad6f108190fb7a62023-11-24T14:26:48ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-11-0113221224310.3390/app132212243Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading RatesGongcheng Wu0Kanghua Zhang1Chonglang Wang2Xing Li3School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaThe loading rate of tectonic stress is not constant during long-term geotectonic activity and significantly affects the earthquake nucleation and fault rupture process. However, the mechanism underlying the loading rate effect is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the effect of the loading rate on earthquake nucleation and stick–slip characteristics. Through lab experiments, faults were biaxially loaded at varying rates to produce a series of earthquakes (stick–slip events). Both shear strain and fault displacement were monitored during these events. The findings indicate a substantial effect of the loading rate on the recurrence interval and the shear stress drop of these stick–slip events, with the recurrence interval inversely proportional to the loading rate. The peak friction of the fault also decreases with the increasing loading rate. Notably, prior to the dynamic rupture of earthquakes, there exists a stable nucleation phase where slip occurs in a quasi-static manner. The critical nucleation length, or the distance required before the dynamic rupture, diminishes with both the loading rate and normal stress. A theoretical model is introduced to rationalize these observations. However, the rupture velocity of these lab-simulated earthquakes showed no significant correlation with the loading rate. Overall, this study enhanced our comprehension of earthquake nucleation and rupture dynamics in diverse tectonic settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/22/12243rupture velocityloading ratenucleationrupture dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Gongcheng Wu Kanghua Zhang Chonglang Wang Xing Li Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates Applied Sciences rupture velocity loading rate nucleation rupture dynamics |
| title | Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates |
| title_full | Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates |
| title_fullStr | Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates |
| title_short | Nucleation Mechanism and Rupture Dynamics of Laboratory Earthquakes at Different Loading Rates |
| title_sort | nucleation mechanism and rupture dynamics of laboratory earthquakes at different loading rates |
| topic | rupture velocity loading rate nucleation rupture dynamics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/22/12243 |
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