Deformation Due to Non-planar Fault Movement in Fractional Maxwell Medium

TL;DR

This paper models the deformation caused by non-planar fault movement in a fractional Maxwell medium, revealing how fault geometry influences stress, strain, and displacement fields relevant to earthquake activity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model of non-planar fault deformation in a fractional Maxwell viscoelastic medium using advanced mathematical techniques.

Findings

Fault geometry significantly affects stress and strain distribution.

Non-planar faults alter displacement fields around the fault zone.

The model provides insights into subsurface deformation related to earthquakes.

Abstract

In earthquake-prone regions, the accumulation of geophysical stress during the aseismic period plays a critical role in determining which faults are more likely to be reactivated in future seismic events. In this model, we consider an infinite non-planar fault located in a viscoelastic half-space of a fractional Maxwell medium representing the lithosphere-asthenosphere system comprising three interconnected planar sections. The problem is formulated as a two-dimensional boundary value problem with discontinuities along the fault surface. A numerical solution is obtained using a Laplace transformation, fractional derivative, correspondence principle and Green's function technique. The outcomes are demonstrated graphically using appropriate model parameters. The computational findings highlight the significant influence of fault motion and geometry in shaping the displacement, stress and strain fields in the vicinity of the fault zone. A study has been carried out to investigate how non-planar faults influence displacement and the accumulation of stress and strain. Analysis of these results can provide insights into subsurface deformation and its impact on fault movement, which may contribute to the study of earthquake activity.