Publication Date:
2022-03-25
Description:
Currently, it is unknown how seismic and aseismic slip influences the recurrence and magnitude of earthquakes. Modern seismic hazard assessment is therefore based on statistics combined with numerical simulations of fault slip and stress transfer. To improve the underlying statistical models we conduct low velocity shear experiments with glass micro‐beads as fault gouge analogue at confining stresses of 5–20 kPa. As a result, we show that characteristic slip events emerge, ranging from fast and large slip to small scale oscillating creep and stable sliding. In particular, we observe small scale slip events that occur immediately before large scale slip events for a specific set of experiments. Similar to natural faults we find a separation of scales by several orders of magnitude for slow events and fast events. Enhanced creep and transient dilatational events pinpoint that the granular analogue is close to failure. From slide‐hold‐slide tests, we find that the rate‐and‐state properties are in the same range as estimates for natural faults and fault rocks. The fault shows velocity weakening characteristics with a reduction of frictional strength between 0.8% and 1.3% per e‐fold increase in sliding velocity. Furthermore, the slip modes that are observed in the normal shear experiments are in good agreement with analytical solutions. Our findings highlight the influence of micromechanical processes on macroscopic fault behavior. The comprehensive data set associated with this study can act as a benchmark for numerical simulations and improve the understanding of observations of natural faults.
Description:
Plain Language Summary:
Earthquakes occur when two continental plates slide past each other. The motion is concentrated at the interface of the two plates which is called a fault. In many cases the fault is filled with granular material, called gouge, that supports the pressure between the plates. Therefore, the properties of this gouge determine how fast and how large an earthquake can be. It also has an influence on the time between earthquakes. In our study, we examine a simplified version of a fault gouge in a simple small‐scale model. Instead of rock material we use glass beads and measure how different conditions affect the motion of the model. We find that our model reproduces features of fault gouge because it shows similar behavior. When there is no motion our model fault becomes stronger with a rate equal to fault gouge. Also, the type of strengthening is analogous to fault gouge. During slip, the glass beads become weaker as the slip velocity increases in a similar manner as in natural faults. These results improve the understanding of computer simulations and natural observations.
Description:
Key Points:
Slip modes in granular gouge are akin to natural fault slip.
Glass beads are a suitable granular analogue for fault gouge and show rate‐and‐state dependent friction.
Enhanced creep and small scale events are signals for imminent failure and indicate fault criticality.
Description:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659
Description:
亥姆霍兹联合会致力, Helmholtz‐Zentrum Potsdam ‐ Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ (GFZ)
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010956
Keywords:
ddc:550.78
Language:
English
Type:
doc-type:article
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