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The Stability Transition From Stable to Unstable Frictional Slip With Finite Pore Pressure

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl105568· OSTI ID:2538732
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States); Pennsylvania State University
  2. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
  3. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States); La Sapienza Università di Roma (Italy)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Pore fluids are ubiquitous throughout the lithosphere and are commonly invoked as the cause of induced seismicity and slow earthquakes. We perform lab experiments to address these questions for drained fault conditions and low pore pressure. We shear simulated faults at effective normal stress (σ'n) of 20 MPa and pore pressures Pp from 1 to 4 MPa. We document the full range of lab earthquake behaviors from slow slip to elasto-dynamic rupture and show that slow slip can be explained by the slip rate dependence of the critical rheologic stiffness without dilatancy hardening or other fluid effects. Our fault permeabilities ranges from 10–18 to 10–17 m2 with an initial porosity of 0.1 and estimated fluid diffusion time ≈1 s. Slow slip and quasi-dynamic fault motion may arise from high Pp at higher pressures but dilatancy strengthening is not a general requirement.
Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0008763; SC0020512
OSTI ID:
2538732
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 51; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Figures / Tables (4)

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58 GEOSCIENCES