← Back to Labs
Earthquake Fault Slip
Stick-slip dynamics — elastic rebound and seismic wave radiation
Seismogram — waiting for slip event...
The elastic rebound theory (Reid, 1906) explains earthquakes as sudden release of elastic strain stored in rock. The stick-slip cycle: tectonic loading builds stress until it exceeds frictional strength σ_f = μσ_n. The Gutenberg-Richter law log₁₀N = a − bM gives event frequency vs magnitude; b≈1 worldwide. Moment magnitude M_w = (2/3)log₁₀M₀ − 6.07 where M₀ = μ·A·D is seismic moment.