THE ROLE OF SEISMIC WAVES ON MULTI-FAULT RUPTURING
In this study we investigate the role of dynamic triggering mechanisms on the occurrence of multi-fault rupture earthquakes. Multi-fault rupture earthquakes occur when the rupture along a fault propagates into other nearby faults. Recent studies have shown that in some cases of multi-fault ruptures the seismic waves generated by the failure in one of the faults plays an important role in trigger the failure of the subsequent faults. That is, in cases where the distance between the ruptured faults is too large (several fault lengths) so that the slip of the first fault causes static stress changes on the second fault insufficient to promote its failure; the triggering (or at least the weakening) of the second fault by the seismic waves from the first one, is a plausible mechanism. Using numerical models we evaluate the role of seismic wave-related stress in promoting multi-fault ruptures. Specifically, we investigate the potential propagation of a rupture on the San Jacinto fault onto the San Andreas fault in California, and the potential propagation of a rupture on the Imperial fault onto the Cerro Prieto fault, across the USA-Mexico international border.