Understanding Processes of Rock Friction Relevant to Earthquake Mechanics

9725562 Tullis P.I.提出了一项实验计划，重点是了解可能导致地震发生的基本过程。地壳地震是由于断层上的快速滑动而发生的，它们发生得很突然，因为滑动一旦开始就比一旦开始就更难继续。提出的实验将旨在试图理解为什么滑动发生得更快更容易，以及为什么断层在地震之间安静地坐着时变得更坚固。已经提出了几个基本的解释，这些关于岩石摩擦力的实验室实验将检验一些主要的假说。最终，人们希望通过提高对基本地震过程的理解，可以找到预测地震和了解破坏性强地面运动的来源的方法。***

9725562 Tullis The P.I.s propose an experimental program focussed on understanding fundamental processes that may be responsible for causing earthquakes to occur. Crustal earthquakes occur due to rapid sliding on faults, and they occur suddenly because it is harder for the sliding to begin than for it to continue once it has started. The experiments proposed will aim at trying to understand why sliding is easier when it occurs faster, and why faults grow stronger as they sit quietly between earthquakes. Several fundamental explanations have been offered, and these laboratory experiments on friction of rock will be testing some of the predominant hypotheses. Ultimately it is hoped that improving understanding of fundamental earthquake processes might show ways of predicting earthquakes and understanding the origin of the damaging strong ground motions. ***