Viscoelastic effects in avalanche dynamics: a key to earthquake statistics

Area of Science:

• Complex systems dynamics
• Non-linear physics
• Geophysics

Background:

• Many complex systems release energy in sudden avalanches.
• Traditional avalanche models often ignore dynamics between avalanches.
• This omission leads to missing key features observed in real-world systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate avalanche dynamics in complex systems.
• To incorporate internal dynamical effects, specifically viscoelastic relaxation, into avalanche models.
• To explore the emergence of stress field oscillations and their impact on avalanche patterns.

Main Methods:

• Development of a computational model incorporating viscoelastic relaxation.
• Simulation of energy input and relaxation processes over time.
• Analysis of stress field dynamics and avalanche event characteristics.

Main Results:

• The model demonstrates the spontaneous emergence of coherent oscillations in the stress field.
• These oscillations occur during interavalanche periods.
• The generated avalanche patterns exhibit similarities to those observed in seismic phenomena.

Conclusions:

• Viscoelastic relaxation is a crucial factor in complex system dynamics.
• Internal dynamical effects can lead to predictable oscillatory behavior between avalanches.
• The proposed model offers a more comprehensive understanding of avalanche phenomena, particularly in seismology.