The Weibull - log Weibull Transition of the Inter-occurrence time statistics in the two-dimensional Burridge-Knopoff Earthquake model

TL;DR

This paper studies the inter-occurrence times in a 2D earthquake model, revealing a transition between Weibull and log-Weibull distributions influenced by fault properties, offering new insights into earthquake timing statistics.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the inter-occurrence times follow a superposition of Weibull and log-Weibull distributions and introduces the Weibull-log Weibull transition based on fault parameters.

Findings

Inter-occurrence times are described by Weibull and log-Weibull superposition.

The distribution transitions from log-Weibull to Weibull with increasing magnitude threshold.

The model provides a mechanical framework for the Weibull-log Weibull transition.

Abstract

In analyzing synthetic earthquake catalogs created by a two-dimensional Burridge-Knopoff model, we have found that a probability distribution of the interoccurrence times, the time intervals between successive events, can be described clearly by the superposition of the Weibull distribution and the log-Weibull distribution. In addition, the interoccurrence time statistics depend on frictional properties and stiffness of a fault and exhibit the Weibull - log Weibull transition, which states that the distribution function changes from the log-Weibull regime to the Weibull regime when the threshold of magnitude is increased. We reinforce a new insight into this model; the model can be recognized as a mechanical model providing a framework of the Weibull - log Weibull transition.