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Simulating Large-Magntitude Earthquakes in the Lab

Caption: This video shows an xperimental simulation of fault behavior during a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. The experimental fault made of dolomite is loaded by a spinning flywheel, then accelerates to seismic velocity (~ 0.8 m/sec) in < 0.1 sec, weakens very quickly, and slips for 2.55 m. Real time data are shown. This video relates to a paper that appeared in the Oct. 5, 2012, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by Jefferson Chang at University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., and colleagues was titled, "Rapid Acceleration Leads to Rapid Weakening in Earthquake-Like Laboratory Experiments."

Credit: Video courtesy of Ze'ev Reches

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