Abstract

SUMMARY In the framework of elasticity theory any indigenous source can be represented by a moment tensor. We have succeeded in obtaining general expressions for internal deformation due to a moment tensor in an elastic/viscoelastic multilayered half-space under gravity. First, starting from Stokes’ classical solution, we obtained the expressions for static displacement fields due to a moment tensor in an infinite elastic medium. Then, performing the Hankel transformation of the static solution in Cartesian coordinates, we derived static displacement potentials for a moment tensor in cylindrical coordinates. Second, representing internal deformation fields by the superposition of a particular solution calculated from the displacement potentials and the general solution for an elastic multilayered half-space without sources, and using the generalized propagator matrix method, we obtained exact expressions for internal elastic deformation fields due to a moment tensor. Finally, applying the correspondence principle of linear viscoelasticity to the elastic solution, we obtained general expressions for quasi-static internal deformation fields due to a moment tensor in an elastic/viscoelastic multilayered half-space. The moment tensor can be generally decomposed into the three independent force systems corresponding to isotropic expansion, crack opening and shear faulting, and so the general expressions include internal deformation fields for these force systems as special cases. As numerical examples we computed the quasi-static internal displacement fields associated with dyke intrusion, episodic segmental ridge opening and steady plate divergence in an elastic‐viscoelastic two-layered half-space. We also demonstrated the usefulness of the source representation with moment tensor through the numerical simulation of deformation cycles associated with the periodic occurrence of interplate earthquakes in a ridge-transform fault system.

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