Dynamic rupture modeling in a complex fault zone with distributed and localized damage

Abstract

Active fault zones have complex structural and geometric features that are expected to affect earthquake nucleation, rupture propagation with shear and volumetric deformation, and arrest. Earthquakes, in turn, dynamically activate co-seismic off-fault damage that may be both distributed and localized, affecting fault zone geometry and rheology, and further influencing post-seismic deformation and subsequent earthquake sequences. Understanding this co-evolution of fault zones and earthquakes is a fundamental challenge in computational rupture dynamics with consequential implications for earthquake physics, seismic hazard and risk. Here, we implement a continuum damage-breakage (CDB) rheology model in our MOOSE-FARMS dynamic rupture simulator to investigate the interplay between bulk damage and fault motion on the evolution of dynamic rupture, energy partitioning, and ground motion characteristics. We demonstrate several effects of damage (accounting for distributed cracking) and breakage (accounting for granulation) on rupture dynamics in the context of two prototype problems addressed currently in the 2D plane-strain setting: (1) a single planar fault and (2) a fracture network. We quantify the spatio-temporal reduction in wave speeds associated with dynamic ruptures in each of these cases and track the evolution of the original fault zone geometry. The results highlight the growth and coalescence of localization bands as well as competition between localized slip on the pre-existing faults vs. inelastic deformation in the bulk. We analyze the differences between off-fault dissipation through damage-breakage vs. plasticity and show that damage-induced softening increases the slip and slip rate, suggesting enhanced energy radiation and reduced energy dissipation. These results have important implications for long-standing problems in earthquake and fault physics as well as near-fault seismic hazard, and they motivate continuing towards 3D simulations and detailed near-fault observations to uncover the processes occurring in earthquake rupture zones.