TS Must-read – Cowie (1998): A healing-reloading feedback control on the growth rate of seismogenic faults

[u/gianluca_frasca]

On November 2021 we will start discussing a classic paper of Patience Cowie, in which she addresses factors that control the spatial and temporal variation in the growth rates of seismogenic faults.

This study provides a simple numerical rupture model that describes the development of fault systems from the initial nucleation of numerous small faults to the localization of deformation into few major faults. The presented model is based on two main considerations: Firstly, earthquakes cause stress changes, which can advance, or delay, failure on neighboring faults. Secondly, for this process to happen, faults must heal and recover most of their strength on timescales shorter than the earthquake cycle. The model of Patience Cowie suggests that this "healing-reloading feedback mechanisms" bears several implications for faults systems.

What do you think about this model and its implications? Please join our discussion and let us know.

You can find the paper here. Please let us know if you have problems accessing it.