This paper reviews laboratory observations of earthquake initiation and describes new
experiments on a 3‐m rock sample where the nucleation process is imaged in detail. Many …

We introduce here the concept of Geotribology as an approach to study friction, wear, and
lubrication of geological systems. Methods of geotribology are applied here to characterize …

We conduct meter-scale rock friction experiments to study strain rate effect on fault slip and
rupture evolution. Two rock samples made of Indian metagabbro, with a nominal contact …

Fluids are pervasive in fault zones cutting the Earth's crust; however, the effect of fluid
viscosity on fault mechanics is mainly conjectured by theoretical models. We present friction …

In the quest to determine fault weakening processes that govern earthquake mechanics, it is
common to infer the earthquake breakdown energy from seismological measurements …

Rock collapse is a type of fast-moving mass wasting process common in mountainous areas
worldwide, and it is hard to predict when collapse will occur. In the experiment, we …

An earthquake is an event of dynamic, unstable slip that releases elastic energy stored in
the earth's crust. This abrupt energy release requires the weakening of the slipping fault that …

Friction is generated due to the relative motion between two contacting objects, involving a
multitude of atoms in the dissipation of translational kinetic energy. Current models often …

Faults weaken during the propagation of earthquakes due to the onset of thermally-activated
mechanisms, which vary depending on the rock type. Recent experimental work suggests …

Understanding the dynamic response of granular shear zones under cyclic loading is
fundamental to elucidating the mechanisms triggering earthquake-induced landslides, with …