A spatial random field model to characterize complexity in earthquake slip

Finite‐fault source inversions reveal the spatial complexity of earthquake slip over the fault plane. We develop a stochastic characterization of earthquake slip complexity, based on published finite‐source rupture models, in which we model the distribution of slip as a spatial random field. The model most consistent with the data follows a von Karman autocorrelation function (ACF) for which the correlation lengths a increase with source dimension. For earthquakes with large fault aspect ratios, we observe substantial differences of the correlation length in the along‐strike ( a x ) and downdip ( a z ) directions. Increasing correlation length with increasing magnitude can be understood using concepts of…

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  National Science Foundation