Search results for "Fault gouge"

A smeared seismicity constitutive model

2004

The classical application of rate and state dependent frictional constitutive laws has involved the instabilities developed between two sliding surfaces. In such a situation, the behaviour and evolution of asperities is the controlling mechanism of velocity weakening. However, most faults have a substantial thickness and it would appear that it is the bulk behaviour of the fault gouge, at whatever scale, that is important. The purpose of this paper is to explore how bulk frictional sliding behaviour may be described. We explore here the consequences of applying the rate and state framework initially developed to describe the frictional behaviour at the interface between two interacting slid…

2020

Abstract. New Zealand's Alpine Fault is a large, plate-bounding strike-slip fault, which ruptures in large (Mw>8) earthquakes. We conducted field and laboratory analyses of fault rocks to assess its fault zone architecture. Results reveal that the Alpine Fault Zone has a complex geometry, comprising an anastomosing network of multiple slip planes that have accommodated different amounts of displacement. This contrasts with the previous perception of the Alpine Fault Zone, which assumes a single principal slip zone accommodated all displacement. This interpretation is supported by results of drilling projects and geophysical investigations. Furthermore, observations presented here show th…