Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Extension Failure: an Earthquake Mechanism

Abstract

An earthquake mechanism is described which operates when a liquid is present within a non-homogeneously stressed solid. Earthquakes are described which show distributions of P-wave compressions and dilatations which are consistent with the new mechanism and are inconsistent with shear fracture as the mechanism at the source.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yoder, H. S., and Tilley, C. E., J. Petrol., 3, 342 (1962).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Uffen, J. R., and Jessop, A. M., Bull. Volc., 26, 57 (1963).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yoder, H. S., J. Geol., 60, 364 (1952).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bott, M. H. P., Nature, 207, 840 (1965).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Lubinova, H. A., Geophys. J., 1, 115 (1958).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. MacDonald, G. J. F., J. Geophys. Res., 64, 1967 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bath, M., Phys. and Chem. of the Earth, 7, 117 (1966).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ingram, R. E., Publ. Dom. Obs. Ottawa, 24, 305 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ishimoto, M., Bull. Earthquake Res. Inst., 10, 449 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Minakami, T., Bull. Earthquake Res. Inst., 13, 114 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sykes, L. R., J. Geophys. Res., 72, 2131 (1967).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Orowan, E., Geol. Soc. Amer., Memoir, 79, 323 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Griggs, D., and Hardin, J., Geol. Soc. Amer., Memoir, 79, 347 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

ROBSON, G., BARR, K. & LUNA, L. Extension Failure: an Earthquake Mechanism. Nature 218, 28–32 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218028a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218028a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing