Laboratory earthquakes: the sub-Rayleigh-to-supershear rupture transition.

Xia, Kaiwen; Rosakis, Ares J; Kanamori, Hiroo · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

We report on the experimental observation of spontaneously nucleated supershear rupture and on the visualization of sub-Rayleigh-to-supershear rupture transitions in frictionally held interfaces. The laboratory experiments mimic natural earthquakes. The results suggest that under certain conditions supershear rupture propagation can be facilitated during large earthquake events.