Abstract
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH,
VOL. 113,
B06301,
14 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2007JB005219
Simulation study of the two-dimensional Burridge-Knopoff model of earthquakes
Department of Earth and Space Science, Faculty of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
Department of Earth and Space Science, Faculty of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
Spatiotemporal correlations of the two-dimensional spring-block (Burridge-Knopoff) model of earthquakes are extensively studied by means of numerical computer simulations. The model is found to exhibit either a “subcritical”, “supercritical” or “near-critical” behavior, depending on the values of the model parameters. Transition between the “subcritical” and “supercritical” regimes is either continuous or discontinuous. Seismic events in the “subcritical” regime and those in the “supercritical” regime at larger magnitudes exhibit universal scaling properties. In the “supercritical” regime, eminent spatiotemporal correlations, e.g., a remarkable growth of seismic activity preceding the main shock, arise in earthquake occurrence, whereas such spatiotemporal correlations are significantly suppressed in the “subcritical” regime. Seismic activity is generically suppressed just before the main shock in a close vicinity of the epicenter of the upcoming event while it remains to be active in the surroundings (the Mogi doughnut). It is also observed that, before and after the main shock, an apparent B-value of the magnitude distribution decreases or increases in the “supercritical” or “subcritical” regimes, respectively. Such distinct precursory phenomena may open a way to the prediction of the upcoming large event.
Received 9 June 2007; accepted 21 January 2008; published 5 June 2008.
Citation: (2008), Simulation study of the two-dimensional Burridge-Knopoff model of earthquakes, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B06301, doi:10.1029/2007JB005219.
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