Geophysical Research Letters(2000)
Epicenter distribution and magnitude of earthquakes in
fold‐thrust belts: Insights from Sandbox Models
Hemin Koyi, Khaled Hessami, Antonio Teixell
Abstract.
Scaled analogue models are used to illustrate the effect of basal friction and
erosion on fault activity and hence on epicentre distribution and magnitude of earthquakes
in the sedimentary cover of active fold-thrust belts. Model results suggest that in fold-thrust
belts shortened above low-friction ductile decollements (rock salt or overpressured
mudstone), low-to moderate-magnitude earthquakes (M• o= 5.3-5.6), distributed over a wide
area, occur along several long-lived thrust faults. Conversely, in areas shortened above ...