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Earthquake lubrication and healing explained by amorphous nanosilica

Author

Listed:
  • Christie D. Rowe

    (McGill University)

  • Kelsey Lamothe

    (McGill University)

  • Marieke Rempe

    (Università degli Studi di Padova
    Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Mark Andrews

    (McGill University)

  • Thomas M. Mitchell

    (University College London)

  • Giulio Toro

    (Università degli Studi di Padova
    Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia)

  • Joseph Clancy White

    (University of New Brunswick)

  • Stefano Aretusini

    (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia)

Abstract

During earthquake propagation, geologic faults lose their strength, then strengthen as slip slows and stops. Many slip-weakening mechanisms are active in the upper-mid crust, but healing is not always well-explained. Here we show that the distinct structure and rate-dependent properties of amorphous nanopowder (not silica gel) formed by grinding of quartz can cause extreme strength loss at high slip rates. We propose a weakening and related strengthening mechanism that may act throughout the quartz-bearing continental crust. The action of two slip rate-dependent mechanisms offers a plausible explanation for the observed weakening: thermally-enhanced plasticity, and particulate flow aided by hydrodynamic lubrication. Rapid cooling of the particles causes rapid strengthening, and inter-particle bonds form at longer timescales. The timescales of these two processes correspond to the timescales of post-seismic healing observed in earthquakes. In natural faults, this nanopowder crystallizes to quartz over 10s–100s years, leaving veins which may be indistinguishable from common quartz veins.

Suggested Citation

  • Christie D. Rowe & Kelsey Lamothe & Marieke Rempe & Mark Andrews & Thomas M. Mitchell & Giulio Toro & Joseph Clancy White & Stefano Aretusini, 2019. "Earthquake lubrication and healing explained by amorphous nanosilica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-08238-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08238-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongyu Sun & Matej Pec, 2021. "Nanometric flow and earthquake instability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.

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