Size-frequency relation of earthquakes in load-transfer models of fracture

• Main Authors: J. B. Gómez, D. Iñiguez, A. F. Pacheco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 1995-01-01
• Series: Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics
• Online Access: http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/2/131/1995/npg-2-131-1995.pdf

Using Monte Carlo simulations of the process of breaking in arrays of elements with load-transfer rules, we have obtained the size- frequency relation of the avalanches occurring in 1- and 2-dimensional stochastic fracture models. The resulting power-law behaviour resembles the Gutenberg-Richter law for the relation between the size (liberated energy) of earthquakes and their number frequency. The value of the power law exponent is calculated as a function of the degree of stress dissipation present in the model. The degree of dissipation is implemented in a straightforward and simple way by assuming that only a fraction of the stress is transferred in each breaking event. The models are robust with respect to the degree of dissipation and we observe a consistent power-law behaviour for a broad range of dissipation values, both in ID and 2D. The value of the power-law exponent is similar to the phenomenological <i>b</i>- value (0.8 <u><</u> b <u> <</u> 1.1) for intermediate magnitude earthquakes.