Laboratory earthquakes: the sub-Rayleigh-to-supershear rupture transition

Science. 2004 Mar 19;303(5665):1859-61. doi: 10.1126/science.1094022.

Abstract

We report on the experimental observation of spontaneously nucleated supershear rupture and on the visualization of sub-Rayleigh-to-supershear rupture transitions in frictionally held interfaces. The laboratory experiments mimic natural earthquakes. The results suggest that under certain conditions supershear rupture propagation can be facilitated during large earthquake events.