Initiation propagation and termination of elastodynamic ruptures associated with segmentation of faults and shaking hazard

Bruce E. Shaw

Published 2006, SCEC Contribution #1383

Using a model of a complex fault system, we examine the initiation, propagation, and termination of ruptures, and their relationship
to fault geometry and shaking hazard.
We find concentrations of epicenters near fault stepovers and ends;
concentrations of terminations near fault ends; and persistent propagation
directivity effects.
Taking advantage of long sequences of dynamic events, we directly measure shaking hazards, such as peak ground acceleration
exceedance probabilities, without need for additional assumptions.
This provides a new tool for exploring shaking hazard from a
physics-based perspective, its dependence on various physical parameters,
and its correlation with other geological and seismological observables.
Using this capability, we find some significant
aspects of the shaking hazard can be anticipated by measures of the
epicenters.
In particular, asymmetries in the relative peak ground motion hazard
along the faults appear well correlated with asymmetries in epicentral
locations.

Citation
Shaw, B. E. (2006). Initiation propagation and termination of elastodynamic ruptures associated with segmentation of faults and shaking hazard . Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, B08302. doi: 10.1029/2005JB004093.