A DISLOCATION THEORY OF EARTHQUAKES
Abstract
The theory assumes that an earthquake fault is formed by the superposition of a large number of incremental shear dislocations whose sudden release produces the shock. It is also assumed that the incremental dislocations are released in such a way that the average slip is proportional to the square root of the area of slip, and that the probability of release of individual incremental dislocations is such that the probability of a total slip area A is inversely proportional to A. An expression is obtained for the energy released by an earthquake that agrees with that derived from a consideration of the energy carried in a wave train. Expressions are also obtained for the ares of slip during earthquakes, the maximum relative slip, and the average annual over-all shearing distortion of the State of California. These expressions are in satisfactory agreement with the observed behavior. The maximum ground accelerations near the center of the fault, to the extent that they are dependent upon the size of the shocks with areas of slip approximately equal to that of the El Centro earthquake of 1940.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0017734
Entities
People
- G. W. Housner
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology