Stick-slip statistics for two fractal surfaces: A model for earthquakes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model for earthquakes based on the self-similar roughness of fractured surfaces, demonstrating that contact area and energy release follow power laws similar to real earthquake statistics.

Contribution

It presents a new fractal surface contact model that explains earthquake energy release and contact area distribution using power laws.

Findings

Contact area distribution follows a unique power law.

Elastic energy releases follow a Gutenberg-Richter-like power law.

Model supports self-similarity in earthquake phenomena.

Abstract

Following the observations of the self-similarity in various length scales in the roughness of the fractured solid surfaces, we propose here a new model for the earthquake. We demonstrate rigorously that the contact area distribution between two fractal surfaces follows an unique power law. This is then utilised to show that the elastic energy releases for slips between two rough fractal surfaces indeed follow a Guttenberg-Richter like power law.