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Titel |
Nucleation and growth of geological faults |
VerfasserIn |
D. Stoyan, R. Gloaguen |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
1023-5809
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics ; 18, no. 4 ; Nr. 18, no. 4 (2011-08-18), S.529-536 |
Datensatznummer |
250013948
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/npg-18-529-2011.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
We present a new model of fault nucleation and growth based on the Weibull
theory, already widely used in fracture research engineering. We propose
that, according to a birth-and-growth process, germs (nuclei) are born at
random instants at random spatial locations and then grow with time. This
leads to a satisfactory formulation of fault length distribution, different
from classical statistical laws. Especially, this formulation reconciles
previous analyses of fault datasets displaying power-law and/or exponential
behaviors. The Weibull parameters can be statistically estimated in a simple
way. We show that the model can be successfully fitted to natural data in
Kenya and Ethiopia. In contrast to existing descriptive models developed for
geological fault systems, such as fractal approaches, the Weibull theory
allows to characterize the strength of the material, i.e. its resistance to
deformation. Since this model is very general, we expect that it can be
applied in many situations, and for simulations of geological fracture
processes. The model is independent of deformation intensity and type and
therefore allows a better constraint of the seismic risk in threatened
regions. |
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