Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Nagahama, Hiroyuki
• Teisseyre, Roman

Titel

Chapter 18 micromorphic continuum and fractal properties of faults and earthquakes

Ist Teil von

• International Geophysics, 2001, Vol.76, p.425-440

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier Science & Technology

Erscheinungsjahr

2001

Link zum Volltext

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This chapter describes the micromorphic continuum and fractal properties of faults and earthquakes. Because the internal structures and discontinuities in the lithosphere seem to have an essential influence on the fracturing in the lithosphere, therefore, the notion of continuum with microstructure can be a suitable tool in describing earthquake phenomena. The generalized micromorphic continuum is especially suitable for introducing microstructure. The chapter introduces the rotational effects related to the internal microstructures at the epicenter zones and the equilibrium equations in terms of displacements (the Navier equation), which are derived from the concept of this micromorphic continuum. These equations are the generalization of Laplace equations in terms of displacements that generate several local diffusional conservation equations (Laplace equations) of strains within the lithospheric plate with microstructures. A generalization of Elsasser and Rice's model of stress diffusion and some scaling laws of fracturing in the lithosphere are also reviewed. The nonequilibrium macroscopic flux of strains evolves a local balance or stationary state of strains with the fractal fracturing within the lithospheric plate with microstructures.