Influential Factors on Earthquake Frictional Behavior and Fault Mechanics

Fault networks play a crucial role in influencing earthquake frictional behavior and fault mechanics. Recent studies have delved into the geometry of fault networks and its impact on seismic and aseismic slip, as well as dynamic modeling of the seismic cycle. The geometry of fault networks has been shown to have a significant influence on earthquake nucleation, with fault surface morphology serving as an indicator of earthquake nucleation potential. Additionally, fault roughness has been linked to sliding instability, promoting earthquake-like aftershock clustering. The interplay between seismic and aseismic slip along fault networks, such as the Chaman fault in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been illuminated through advanced technologies like InSAR, providing valuable insights into fault creep rates and strain accumulation.