Experimental evidence of seismic ruptures initiated by aseismic slip

Yohann Faure and Elsa Bayart ()
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Yohann Faure: Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS
Elsa Bayart: Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Seismic faults release the stress accumulated during tectonic movement through rapid ruptures or slow-slip events. The role of slow-slip events is crucial as they impact earthquakes occurrence. However, the mechanisms by which slow-slip affects the failure of frictionally locked regions remain elusive. Here, building on laboratory experiments, we establish that a slow-slip region acts as a nucleation center for seismic rupture, enhancing earthquakes’ frequency. We emulate slow-slip regions by introducing a granular material along part of a laboratory fault. Measuring the fault’s response to shear reveals that the heterogeneity serves as an initial rupture, reducing the fault shear resistance. Additionally, the slow-slip region extends beyond the heterogeneity with increasing normal load, demonstrating that fault composition is not the only requirement for slow-slip. Our results show that slow-slip modifies rupture nucleation dynamics, highlighting the importance of accounting for the evolution of the slow-slip region under varying conditions for seismic hazard mitigation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52492-2

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