Nucleation and growth of geological faults
We present a new model of fault nucleation and growth based on the Weibull theory, already widely used in fracture research engineering. We propose that, according to a birth-and-growth process, germs (nuclei) are born at random instants at random spatial locations and then grow with time. This lead...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2011-08-01
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| Series: | Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics |
| Online Access: | http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/18/529/2011/npg-18-529-2011.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818607811486023680 |
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| author | D. Stoyan R. Gloaguen |
| author_facet | D. Stoyan R. Gloaguen |
| author_sort | D. Stoyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We present a new model of fault nucleation and growth based on the Weibull theory, already widely used in fracture research engineering. We propose that, according to a birth-and-growth process, germs (nuclei) are born at random instants at random spatial locations and then grow with time. This leads to a satisfactory formulation of fault length distribution, different from classical statistical laws. Especially, this formulation reconciles previous analyses of fault datasets displaying power-law and/or exponential behaviors. The Weibull parameters can be statistically estimated in a simple way. We show that the model can be successfully fitted to natural data in Kenya and Ethiopia. In contrast to existing descriptive models developed for geological fault systems, such as fractal approaches, the Weibull theory allows to characterize the strength of the material, i.e. its resistance to deformation. Since this model is very general, we expect that it can be applied in many situations, and for simulations of geological fracture processes. The model is independent of deformation intensity and type and therefore allows a better constraint of the seismic risk in threatened regions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:32:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-606d47d8aed94fa3be0c256be90ec19f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1023-5809 1607-7946 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:32:41Z |
| publishDate | 2011-08-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics |
| spelling | doaj.art-606d47d8aed94fa3be0c256be90ec19f2022-12-21T22:28:11ZengCopernicus PublicationsNonlinear Processes in Geophysics1023-58091607-79462011-08-0118452953610.5194/npg-18-529-2011Nucleation and growth of geological faultsD. StoyanR. GloaguenWe present a new model of fault nucleation and growth based on the Weibull theory, already widely used in fracture research engineering. We propose that, according to a birth-and-growth process, germs (nuclei) are born at random instants at random spatial locations and then grow with time. This leads to a satisfactory formulation of fault length distribution, different from classical statistical laws. Especially, this formulation reconciles previous analyses of fault datasets displaying power-law and/or exponential behaviors. The Weibull parameters can be statistically estimated in a simple way. We show that the model can be successfully fitted to natural data in Kenya and Ethiopia. In contrast to existing descriptive models developed for geological fault systems, such as fractal approaches, the Weibull theory allows to characterize the strength of the material, i.e. its resistance to deformation. Since this model is very general, we expect that it can be applied in many situations, and for simulations of geological fracture processes. The model is independent of deformation intensity and type and therefore allows a better constraint of the seismic risk in threatened regions.http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/18/529/2011/npg-18-529-2011.pdf |
| spellingShingle | D. Stoyan R. Gloaguen Nucleation and growth of geological faults Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics |
| title | Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| title_full | Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| title_fullStr | Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| title_short | Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| title_sort | nucleation and growth of geological faults |
| url | http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/18/529/2011/npg-18-529-2011.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dstoyan nucleationandgrowthofgeologicalfaults AT rgloaguen nucleationandgrowthofgeologicalfaults |