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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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Published on: December 4, 2017
Spinodals, scaling, and ergodicity in a threshold model with long-range stress transfer
C D Ferguson1, W Klein, J B Rundle
1Physics Department, Center for Polymer Physics, and Center for Computational Science, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Summary
This study analyzes a slider-block model with long-range interactions, revealing Gutenberg-Richter scaling in earthquake systems. Large events are linked to nucleation near the spinodal limit.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Geophysics
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Slider-block models are used to simulate earthquakes.
- Understanding long-range interactions is crucial for realistic earthquake modeling.
- Cellular automaton models offer a framework for studying complex system dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically and numerically analyze a cellular automaton slider-block model with long-range interactions.
- To investigate the role of metastable states, spinodal limits, and nucleation in the model's phenomenology.
- To compare model results with real earthquake fault systems.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis using a coarse-grained description in the mean-field limit.
- Numerical simulations of the cellular automaton slider-block model.
- Analysis of Gutenberg-Richter scaling and event nucleation.
Main Results:
- The model exhibits Gutenberg-Richter-like scaling, consistent with real earthquake fault systems.
- Large seismic events are associated with nucleation near the spinodal limit.
- The mean-field limit of the model can be described using equilibrium statistical mechanics techniques.
Conclusions:
- The cellular automaton slider-block model with long-range interactions provides a valuable framework for understanding earthquake phenomena.
- The study confirms the relevance of theoretical predictions for finite-range interaction systems.
- The findings suggest a connection between nucleation processes and the occurrence of large seismic events.
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