TODAY - FRIDAY APRIL 21 @ 1P PDT
Capturing co-seismic fault deformation and pseudotachylyte formation to unveil earthquake physics
Nicola Tisato, University of Texas at Austin
Earthquake mechanics is still far from being completely understood, and recent observations have challenged our models. For example, we do not yet understand what controls the occurrence of slow-slip events vs. destructive seismic events. Therefore, new methods to investigate earthquake mechanics are essential to close such a gap. Here, I will discuss results obtained from an Energy-Controlled-Rotary (ECoR) shear apparatus that can produce spontaneous high-intensity slip events. Pairing ECoR with high-speed imaging allowed for capturing precursors and slow-slip events during interseismic periods and the co-seismic evolution of melt within the fault. ECoR challenges the paradigm of performing rotary shear experiments by imposing velocity and displacement and allows the weakening and strengthening processes to control the slip. The experiments show that melt during the seismic slip undergoes specific phases – promoting or impeding slip – that such phases can be clearly identified in acoustic emission signals akin to seismic waves during earthquakes. [more info] [register ]
Coming in 2 WEEKS
FRIDAY MAY 5 @ 1P PDT
The role of fault asperity in the generation of laboratory earthquake
Lifeng Wang, State Key Laboratory of Earthquake Dynamics, China Earthquake Administration
[more info] [register]