FRACTAL APPROACH IN MODELING OF EARTHQUAKES

A model for an earthquake simulation is proposed with the use of a fra ctal approach. Multiple generation and coalescence of shear faults in stochastic brittle media (modelled as a 2d lattice) are considered to be a source of seismicity. Dynamics of local failure events are govern ed by accumulation of shear defects, described in terms of continuum d amage mechanics. Fractal tree structure is used as an analogue for a s tress redistribution process. Energy release, caused by the non-unifor m failure, is studied for a non-conservative case. Effect of various t ypes of rocks' properties stochasticity on energy release dynamics is analysed with a utilization of multifractal formalism. The latter is s hown to be an additional method for seismicity characterization.