A laboratory perspective on accelerating preparatory processes before earthquakes and implications for foreshock detectability

Thomas H. W. Goebel (), Valerian Schuster, Grzegorz Kwiatek, Kiran Pandey and Georg Dresen
Additional contact information
Thomas H. W. Goebel: Center for Earthquake Research and Information
Valerian Schuster: Section 4.2 Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling
Grzegorz Kwiatek: Section 4.2 Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling
Kiran Pandey: Center for Earthquake Research and Information
Georg Dresen: Section 4.2 Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Dynamic failure in the laboratory is commonly preceded by many foreshocks which accompany premonitory aseismic slip. Aseismic slip is also thought to govern earthquake nucleation in nature, yet, foreshocks are rare. Here, we examine how heterogeneity due to different roughness, damage and pore pressures affects premonitory slip and acoustic emission characteristics. High fluid pressures increase stiffness and reduce heterogeneity which promotes more rapid slip acceleration and shorter precursory periods, similar to the effect of low geometric heterogeneity on smooth faults. The associated acoustic emission activity in low-heterogeneity samples becomes increasingly dominated by earthquake-like double-couple focal mechanisms. The similarity of fluid pressure increase and roughness reduction suggests that increased stress and geometric homogeneity may substantially shorten the duration of foreshock activity. Gradual fault activation and extended foreshock activity is more likely observable on immature faults at shallow depth.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49959-7

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