Publication Date:
2022-05-04
Description:
Experiments performed on dolomite or Mg-calcite gouges at seismic slip rates (v 〉 1 m/s)
and displacements (d 〉 1 m) show that the frictional coeffi cient μ decays exponentially from
peak values (mp ≈ 0.8, in the Byerlee’s range), to extremely low steady-state values (μss ≈ 0.1),
attained over a weakening distance Dw. Microstructural observations show that discontinuous
patches of nanoparticles of dolomite and its decomposition products (periclase and lime or
portlandite) were produced in the slip zone during the transient stage (d 〈 Dw). These observations,
integrated with CO2 emissions data recorded during the experiments, suggest that particle
interaction in the slip zone produces fl ash temperatures that are large enough to activate
chemical and physical processes, e.g., decarbonation reactions (T = 550 C). During steady state
(d ≥ Dw), shear strength is very low and not dependent upon normal stresses, suggesting that
pressurized fl uids (CO2) may have been temporarily trapped within the slip zone. At this stage
a continuous layer of nanoparticles is developed in the slip zone. For d 〉〉 Dw, a slight but abrupt
increase in shear strength is observed and interpreted as due to fl uids escaping the slip zone.
At this stage, dynamic weakening appears to be controlled by velocity dependent properties
of nanoparticles developed in the slip zone. Experimentally derived seismic source parameter
Wb (i.e., breakdown work, the energy that controls the dynamics of a propagating fracture)
(1) matches Wb values obtained from seismological data of the A.D. 1997 M6 Colfi orito (Italy)
earthquakes, which nucleated in the same type of rocks tested in this study, and (2) suggests
similar earthquake-scaling relationships, as inferred from existing seismological data sets. We
conclude that dynamic weakening of experimental faults is controlled by multiple slip weakening
mechanisms, which are activated or inhibited by physicochemical reactions in the slip zone.
Description:
Published
Description:
35-38
Description:
3.1. Fisica dei terremoti
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
reserved
Keywords:
frcition
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.01. Earthquake geology and paleoseismology
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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