The role of propagating stress waves on a geophysical scale: Evidence in terms of nonextensivity

• Published in: Physica A 2012-11, Vol.391 (22), p.5648-5657
• Main Authors: Minadakis, G., Potirakis, S.M., Stonham, J., Nomicos, C., Eftaxias, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breaking; Complexity; Earthquake dynamics; Fisher information; Fracture mechanics; Geophysics; Hurst exponent; Nonextensive Tsallis statistics; Organizations; Preseismic electromagnetic emissions; Seismicity; Statistics; Stress waves; Wave propagation
• ISSN: 0378-4371; 1873-2119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2012.04.030

Laboratory experiments have shown that, during a fracture, the breaking of a bond launches a propagating stress wave which may trigger the breaking of other bonds. We examine here the possibility that the same holds on a geophysical scale. Based on a nonextensive approach, we examine whether the transient stresses of seismic waves from a major earthquake (EQ) can trigger a considerably distant significant EQ. We use three different analytical approaches: (i) a recently introduced fragment-asperity interaction model for EQ dynamics based on nonextensive Tsallis statistics; (ii) the Hurst exponent; (iii) organization in terms of Fisher information. We find that the triggered seismicity displays higher nonextensivity, increased persistent behavior, and a higher level of organization. Using the same approaches, we further elucidate the link between the associated precursory kHz electromagnetic (EM) activity and the last stage of the impending EQ generation. We examine whether the statistics of regional seismicity could be a macroscopic reflection of physical processes in the EQ source, as would be expected by the fractal nature of fracture and faulting. ► We examine whether the transient stresses of the seismic waves of a major earthquake (EQ) can trigger a distant significant EQ. ► The analysis draws from a nonextensive model for the EQ dynamics, the Hurst exponent, and Fisher information. ► We find that the triggered seismicity presents higher nonextensivity, increased persistency, and higher organization. ► We further relate the associated kHz electromagnetic activity with the last stage of the impending EQ generation.