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Creep, compaction and the weak rheology of major faults

Nature volume 359, pages 687–692 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Field and laboratory observations suggest that the porosity within fault zones varies over earthquake cycles so that fluid pressure is in long-term equilibrium with hydrostatic fluid pressure in the country rock. Between earthquakes, ductile creep compacts the fault zone, increasing fluid pressure, and finally allowing frictional failure at relatively low shear stress. Earthquake faulting restores porosity and decreases fluid pressure to below hydrostatic. This mechanism may explain why major faults, such as the San Andreas system, are weak.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, USA

    Norman H. Sleep

  2. United States Geological Survey, Mail Stop 977, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA

    Michael L. Blanpied

Authors
  1. Norman H. Sleep
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  2. Michael L. Blanpied
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Sleep, N., Blanpied, M. Creep, compaction and the weak rheology of major faults. Nature 359, 687–692 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/359687a0

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