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A Dynamic Study of Frictional and Viscous Effects on Earthquake Rupture: A Case Study of the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, Earthquake

¹ Institute of Earth Sciences
Academia Sinica
P.O. Box 1-55
Nangang, Taipei, Taiwan 115

Friction is commonly considered an important factor in controlling earthquake rupture. In this work, it is assumed that viscosity is also a significant factor. A strike-slip-type, two-body spring-slider model in the presence of both friction and viscosity is applied to approximate the rupture processes of an earthquake along the fault-striking direction. Results show that in addition to friction, viscosity is also an important factor in controlling rupture. The M_s 7.6 Chi-Chi earthquake which struck central Taiwan on 20 September 1999, ruptured a 100-km-long east- dipping transpressive fault (the Chelungpu fault). Measured and inferred results show that there are differences in physical properties between the northern and southern segments of the fault. Simulation results from a two-body model can explain the differences in displacement, velocity, acceleration, and predominant period between the two fault segments.