https://youtu.be/SJoFGwTfVvQ

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Brown University challenges the traditional view that friction is the primary cause of earthquakes. Instead, the research suggests that the geometrical alignment of fault networks plays a crucial role in determining where and how earthquakes occur. By examining fault zones in California and developing mathematical models, the team found that the way faults are aligned, with complexities like bends and stepovers, can either facilitate smooth sliding of rocks or cause them to lock and release suddenly, leading to earthquakes. This new perspective, likened to the analogy of serrated teeth on a saw's edge, has significant implications for earthquake prediction and understanding. While further testing is needed in different geological settings, this model could complement existing friction-based models and provide a more comprehensive approach to seismology and earthquake risk mitigation. P. Geo. Ricardo A Valls, M. Sc. and Geo Gadfly Valls Geoconsultant ORCID ID- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5421-0914 Scopus Author ID: 7003369619/35335510700 ResearcherID: S-6604-2018 If you like this content, please "buy me a coffee" https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goldendroplets