On scaling of earthquake faults

Abstract

AbstractScaling relations among seismic moment, M0, average displacement, δ, rupture width, W, and rupture length, L, of earthquake faults are studied mainly using the data base of earthquake source parameters compiled by Wells and Coppersmith (1994). Results show that seismic moment scales with rupture length approximately as M0 ∼ L2; rupture width is independent of rupture length for large earthquakes; average displacement relates to rupture length approximately as δ ∼ L; and the average displacement is independent of rupture width. Consequently, the L-model proposed by Scholz (1982) is more appropriate than the W-model suggested by Romanowicz (1992) to describe the scaling of earthquake faults.