Earthquakes result from the transient frictional weakening of faults during co-seismic slip. Dry faults weaken due to the degradation of fault asperities by frictional heating (e.g. flash heating). In the presence of fluids, theoretical models predict faults to weaken by thermal pressurization of pore fluid. Despite theoretical predictions, not only numerical models seldom consider the...
This study presents a numerical sandbox experiment in which earthquakes occur. The experiment models a strike-slip fault by enforcing translation motions to the bottom and lateral boundaries of a virtual, rectangular box. The approach used is the Discrete Element Method (DEM), where rock is modelled as a set of spherical, rigid particles interacting with one another.
The geometry of the...
The traditional understanding of plate tectonics posits rigid plates primarily undergoing deformation at narrow plate boundaries. However, the equatorial Indian Ocean presents a unique scenario with a diffused deformation zone spanning ~3000 km within the Indo-Australian plate. Past investigations have identified N-S compression in the Central Indian Ocean basin and strike-slip motion along...
Large continental strike-slip earthquakes usually present a complex rupture trace composed of several segments separated by discontinuities. Fault geometry may interact with stress concentration and rupture propagation and have an influence on the distribution of coseismic slip and the termination of ruptures. However, other factors can influence slip distribution and rupture propagation, such...
Understanding rupture mechanisms, seismicity propagation, distribution, and migration after a major earthquake relies on the quality of earthquake catalogs, particularly their detection capabilities, location accuracy, and magnitude completeness. On February 27, 2010, a Mw 8.8 earthquake struck the Maule region in south-central Chile, causing widespread damage and substantial loss of life. As...
A precise understanding of the soil profile is important for railway operations, impacting not only vibration and noise propagation but also broader aspects such as train speed adjustments and infrastructure resilience. Soil properties influence track stability, and changes due to climate variations—such as extreme rainfall or drought—can affect safety and performance. Monitoring these...
Badlands have been extensively studied for their erosion dynamics and sediment transport due to their remarkable sensitivity to climate forcing [1]. These erosion processes, primarily driven by mass wasting, are typically investigated at the plot scale using rainfall experiments [2] or at the catchment scale by integrating export measurements at gauging stations [1]. However, detailed spatial...
