EARTHQUAKES IN A MODEL OF SEISMIC ZONE WITH EMBEDDED PREEXISTING FAULTS

We construct a simple quasi-static model of seismic zone with embedded pre-existing faults and present a self-consistent method for incorpor ating both the stick-slip behavior at the fault surfaces and the long- ranged stress redistribution following a rupture or a slip event. Driv en by a slow tectonic plate (relative) motion, the model evolves to a critical state exhibiting Gutenberg-Richter power law for the frequenc y-size distributions. Results on spatial and statistical features of e arthquakes in the model are also presented.